HYDRAULIC ASSISTED

BRIDGE
Ishan Kossambe
13MCD0038

Introduction
Incorporates an integrated hydraulic system into the

bridge in order to carry more weight

Suitable for arch based bridges

How it works
Forces in a

lateral/horizontal
direction at the
supports
Three hinged arch
Loading will cause the

arch to spread

Supports
Load causes the three

hinged arch to spread

out
Piston is held in place

via a pined connection

O-rings of the piston

Mid-Span of Bridge
The high pressure hydraulic fluid causes another piston to

become raised
Counteracting the load
Calibration and calculation is required by changing the

diameter of the piston and shafts

Advantages
Little maintenance
Quantity of material

required to construct
the bridge is reduced
Increase its aesthetic
and social impact
Reversal of hydraulic
fluid still results in
equilibrium

Disadvantages
Vertical hydraulic column being required to be located in

the center of the arch

Vertical column type hydraulic bridges may never be used
in arch bridges required to span gaps which are very high
in the context of the altitude of the locale.
Failure by very high force

Overcoming the Disadvantages

Eliminating the single

vertical hydraulic
column
Replacing hydraulic
components placed at
an angle
Adding several, thicker
O-rings and gaskets

Potential Applications
Pedestrian Footbridges
Water Transportation
Vehicular Transportation
Light Vehicles
Freight Vehicles
Railway Transportation

Moving Bridges
Drawbridge
Bascule bridge
Curling bridge
Vertical-lift bridge
Retractable bridge
Tilt bridge

Hydraulic Systems for Movable

Bridges
Objectives
Ability to handle varying loads
Smooth acceleration and deceleration
Positive locking in any position

Hydraulic Cylinders
Two per span
Tie rod and welded
Intermediate trunnion and

spherical bearing clevis both

ends
The national fluid power
association (NFPA)
established a standard for
tie rod type hydraulic
cylinders
Tie rods should be inspected
for corrosion damage

Counterbalance Valves
Varying loads, wind makes it unbalanced and causes run

away
A counterbalance valve keeps this condition in check
Holding the bridge firmly in any position
Acts as a check valve

Proportional Valves
Smooth acceleration and deceleration
Gradually increasing or decreasing the amount of flow to

the cylinders
The use of servo valves for this task is not recommended
0 - 9 volts dc/800 milliamps

Hydraulic Pump
Variable volume-bent axis-piston type pump
Strong suction capability and greater dirt tolerance, make

them a good choice for movable bridge

Pumps which require a boost or supercharge only add
complexity to the design
Horsepower limiter

Hydraulic Fluids

ISO Grade

Viscosity

Normal Operating
Temperature

AW32

Light

1O0-150F

AW46

Medium

3O0-160F

AW68

Heavy

4O0-170F

Care to be Taken While Designing

Pumps and motors should be accessible for work
Vibration mounts and hoses to isolate pump VIBRATION
The use of ANSI standard bolt pattern sub plate mounted

valves
Drilled manifolds to minimize piping and fittings
Filters which are easy to change with good clogging
indicators
Straight thread "o ring ports and fittings
Large access covers for reservoirs

The Rolling Bridge

Completed in 2004 as part of the Grand Union

Canal office & retail development project at Paddington

Basin, London.
Despite the connotation of its name, it is more accurately
described as "curling".
Designed by SKM Anthony Hunt with Packman Lucas,
and built by Littlehampton Welding Ltd.
The Hydraulic design and development was done by
Primary Fluid Power Ltd in the North West.
In 2005, the bridge won the British Structural Steel Design
Award.

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Hydraulic_Assist

ed_Bridges
www.youtube.com
Hydraulic systems for movable bridges by Michael A.
Henley