Innovative Design Features: Lightweight truss: The principles of lightweight design led to a saving of 25% in the use of structural steel. State of the art deck system: Designed as a four-way slab, it cuts the concrete mass by 30% and eliminates the need for pre-stressing. Longest joint-less bridge in North America: The articulation scheme allows a continuous deck for the entire length of the superstructure, which eliminated the need for two modular deck joints on the 1045m long bridge. Lock Up Devices: The articulation scheme involves the use of modern lock-up devices, which act like shock absorbers to allow slow acting movements while restraining sudden force effects. Compact Locked Coil Cables: Cables are slender with compact anchorage details. The locations of the cable anchorages were selected for improved structural and aesthetic behaviour. The simplified anchorages can be easily inspected and maintained. Constructability: Design of the bridge incorporates a proven construction scheme that includes the launching of the trusses, and a one step stressing procedure for the cables. Low life cycle cost: The design pays special attention to long term durability, corrosion protection and provides easy access for inspection and maintenance with the ultimate goal of keeping the life cycle cost of the bridge to a minimum. Superstructure 3,536 tonnes 1,045m long truss (steel) 64 tonnes Expansion joints & bearings 265 tonnes A-pylons (steel) 110 tonnes Cables (steel) 7,846 tonnes Deck (reinforced concrete) 126 tonnes Bridge rail 1,913 tonnes Pavement (asphalt) 13,860 tonnes Substructure 1,354 tonnes Abutments (reinforced concrete) 63 tonnes Piles (steel) 7,238 tonnes Delta frames (steel) 234 tonnes Pier armour (steel) 27,174 tonnes Piers and footings (reinforced concrete) 36,063 tonnes 553 m height of the CN Tower 1,045 m length of the Deh Cho Bridge
76.2m Con Mine Robertson Shaft Head Frame 63.9m Deh Cho Bridge 60.0m Northern Heights A-pylon Deck Truss Diaphragm Pier Foundation 49,923 tonnes total weight of the Deh Cho Bridge 10,900 tonnes total weight of the Calgary Tower Total length: 1,045m Total weight: 49,923 tonnes Clearance above water: 21.2m Navigational Channel: 185m Bridge Website: www.dehchobridge.info
How the Deh Cho Bridge Deals With Ice The cross section of the piers at water level is cylindrical in shape and the faces of the cylinder are sloped inward. This forces ice to break apart as it rides up the slope. The concrete piers have steel armoured plating to protect them during river break up. Scour rock provides protections to the pier from both ice and rushing water.
completed launch from the north ice fog during construction pier construction top of pier survey via helicopter
first truss launch aerial view, march 2011 sunset over temporary bent pier construction
Department of Transportation, GNWT is the Project owner responsible for overall management and oversight. Associated Engineering is responsible for day-to-day project control and on-site management. Infinity Engineering Group Ltd. is the Engineer of Record responsible for the Deh Cho Bridge design, superstructure, and abutments. Levelton Consultants Ltd. audited the quality assurance program of the Deh Cho Bridge project s first phase of construction. In Phase II, Levelton reviews and audits the Contractor s quality program. Ruskin Construction Ltd. (RCL) has been involved in the Deh Cho Bridge project from the beginning, first as a sub-contractor to Atcon Construction in Phase I pier construction, and now as the Prime Contractor for the bridge and A-pylon. BPTEC-DNW and TY-LIN International are Advisors to the Government on technical issues. Sargent & Associates are responsible for Design Coordination and In-Plant Inspection. Allnorth Consultants oversees Quality Control. Buckland & Taylor handle erection engineering. EBA Engineering Consultants handles the Geotechnical Design and Quality Assurance.