RaceDiagnostics
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Send your suggestions direct to the Forth Bridge authority.
- Thread starter RaceDiagnostics
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rtbcomp
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Bill Edwards
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Wrong section, I would say it is a stick welding job...
BrokenBiker
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im game for that, should be finally buying a stick welder this week...im sure a few 3.2s would sort that
Screwdriver
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I sincerely doubt that can be repaired in situ. If it were me, I'd be looking at a solution which involved an additional structure to take all the load away from that point. Then maybe "repair" it. There's a good chance that's a fatigue fracture in my amateur opinion, so I'd be looking at the design again and doing some preventative upgrades to the rest of the structure.
BrokenBiker
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like building a new bridge?
Screwdriver
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Pretty sure they won't be clearing this one away. I'd build a new framework around the broken/suspect areas. Price of steel has fallen y'know
slim_boy_fat
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They're well ahead with the new one, it's scheduled to open towards the end of 2016 - and they're currently ahead of schedule.
The plan was to use the 'old one' to carry commercial traffic, with private traffic on the new.
skotl
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From the local rag today;
(by the way, I'm quoting verbatim, including his political observation - this isn't intended to light the fire under an argument of SNP vs. Westminster, or for/against austerity - let's try to keep the discussion on-topic)
(Andrew Carrie, transportation engineer)
"To those who are saying "why was this problem not picked up during inspections", let me offer you this:
The part that has failed is called a "truss end link" There are 8 of them (I think) on the bridge, two at each end of each main carriageway deck (the long span in the middle) where they join the main tower. they don't really hold the deck up (that's what those great big cables are for!) but they locate the decks against the towers to make sure they are straight and level.
In February 2009, a report was presented to the Forth Bridge Board saying that the truss end links were showing signs of being overstressed. At that time, they decided to defer the works until after they had carried out the repairs and dehumidification of the main cables. That's fair enough.
They expected to start the work on the truss end links in 2010/11, and even put a notice out inviting tenders for the work in 2010. The tender process was then cancelled.
Then in 2013, the Board were told that the truss end links were one of three projects to be tendered in 2013/14. That was again deferred in early 2014 because of Government funding cuts. At that time, the Board were told that deferral of these projects would increase the risk to the long term structural integrity of the bridge and when the works are eventually carried out, the cost will be greater than if they were caught in time.
Never was the phrase "A stitch in time" more appropriate.
They also estimate that apart from the works themselves (which was less than 3 million for all 3 projects at that time, but what they have now is a very difficult repair), this closure is likely to cost the Scottish economy 50 million.
Now I am obviously biased because I am an engineer not a politician, but does anybody now still think those "budget cuts" were a worthwhile saving?
So the engineers are left to make the most of this. I'm not involved, so it's nothing to do with me, but don't blame the guys that sort these messes out. Look above under "budget cuts".
And who made those 'Budget cuts'?
The SNP that's who, they would rather waste money on Gaelic Road signs, than spend it on the nations vital infrastructure...
So when you are stuck in the traffic jams, or on a late overcrowded train, trying to get to work/home you know who you have to thank for it."
"To those who are saying "why was this problem not picked up during inspections", let me offer you this:
The part that has failed is called a "truss end link" There are 8 of them (I think) on the bridge, two at each end of each main carriageway deck (the long span in the middle) where they join the main tower. they don't really hold the deck up (that's what those great big cables are for!) but they locate the decks against the towers to make sure they are straight and level.
In February 2009, a report was presented to the Forth Bridge Board saying that the truss end links were showing signs of being overstressed. At that time, they decided to defer the works until after they had carried out the repairs and dehumidification of the main cables. That's fair enough.
They expected to start the work on the truss end links in 2010/11, and even put a notice out inviting tenders for the work in 2010. The tender process was then cancelled.
Then in 2013, the Board were told that the truss end links were one of three projects to be tendered in 2013/14. That was again deferred in early 2014 because of Government funding cuts. At that time, the Board were told that deferral of these projects would increase the risk to the long term structural integrity of the bridge and when the works are eventually carried out, the cost will be greater than if they were caught in time.
Never was the phrase "A stitch in time" more appropriate.
They also estimate that apart from the works themselves (which was less than 3 million for all 3 projects at that time, but what they have now is a very difficult repair), this closure is likely to cost the Scottish economy 50 million.
Now I am obviously biased because I am an engineer not a politician, but does anybody now still think those "budget cuts" were a worthwhile saving?
So the engineers are left to make the most of this. I'm not involved, so it's nothing to do with me, but don't blame the guys that sort these messes out. Look above under "budget cuts".
And who made those 'Budget cuts'?
The SNP that's who, they would rather waste money on Gaelic Road signs, than spend it on the nations vital infrastructure...
So when you are stuck in the traffic jams, or on a late overcrowded train, trying to get to work/home you know who you have to thank for it."
(by the way, I'm quoting verbatim, including his political observation - this isn't intended to light the fire under an argument of SNP vs. Westminster, or for/against austerity - let's try to keep the discussion on-topic)
slim_boy_fat
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Definition of Accountant: The person brought onto the field of battle after the event - not to count the dead, but to bayonet the wounded. 
brightspark
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an aldi buzzbox will sort that no problem run off a 1.5mm extension lead
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At least with a gap like that there's no need to grind a prep on
