Skip to main content

Arch of innovation

ULMA engineering solutions on the emblematic Arch of Innovation bridge, Brazil
September 21, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
With a height of 100m, it stands out also because of its distinctive arch shape

The Arch of Innovation is a cable-stayed bridge that will connect Zarur, São João, and Cassiano Ricardo avenues in São Paulo, Brazil. With a height of 100m, it has become one of the most iconic bridges in the country because of its distinctive arch shape.

This bridge will create a safer and faster route for more than 180,000 vehicles per day. It will also include a bicycle lane more than 3.6km long.

One of the most relevant requirements for this project has been the versatility of the formwork systems and the safety of those working on them. To this end, the engineering team developed an integrated solution with the ideal formwork and scaffolding systems and applications for the pylons and the roads that run between them.

The Queiroz Galvão construction company worked with ULMA's engineering solutions to meet the project’s stringent deadlines.

ULMA’s ATR self-climbing system was chosen for the two pylons with variable inclination and four-sided sections. It was erected in combination with the VMK timber-beam formwork for the outside and the KSP platform for the inside.

The self-climbing system was adapted to the inclination and elliptical curve of the shaft of up to 23º in the last concreting. The system has allowed high execution rates, three-day concreting cycles in 3.6m-high sections, without the need for a crane.

ULMA’s ATR self-climbing system was used for the two pylons
ULMA’s ATR self-climbing system was used for the two pylons

In addition, it has three levels of working platforms for carrying out work on the formwork, rebar and concrete, as well as for lifting the structure. This has maintained strict safety levels at great heights at all times. Despite the complexity of the geometry, the MK system in its different applications has completed all the structural requirements.

The two carriageways rest on an X shaped structure. They were built with ENKOFORM HMK, supported by T-60 shoring towers.

For construction of the bridge’s arch section, a structure made of MK and VM beams supported by T-60 shoring systems was set up. Custom metal profiles bear all the weight of the T-60 system.

To access the different areas of the bridge, BRIO stairs were completed on each side of the arch and in two separate sections. The first section is 60m high and rests on the ground. The second section, 40m high, consists of three independent staircases arranged on BMK consoles on the arch.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ULMA engineering solutions on the emblematic Arch of Innovation bridge, Brazil
    June 21, 2020
    The arch of innovation is a cable-stayed bridge that will connect Zarur, São João, and Cassiano Ricardo avenues in São Paulo, Brazil. With a height of 100m, it has become one of the most iconic bridges in the country of its type, given its peculiar arc shape.
  • Bridges in Sunderland and Poland are being slid into place
    February 6, 2017
    Sunderland sees a bridge slide into place and two bridges inch their way across a Polish highway Slowly but surely, a 2,500 tonne section of a new bridge deck was eased out from the banks of the River Wear near Sunderland in northern England. It now straddles the water, pointing towards the opposite bank which it will eventually reach after another sliding operation likely to take place next year. The project to build the New Wear Crossing is now halfway through with the first half of the steel deck b
  • Extra work for Ulma on Ireland’s New Ross extradosed bridge
    September 19, 2019
    ULMA has taken part in construction Ireland’s New Ross, the longest extradosed bridge in the world. The €230 million project includes a 14km dual carriageway and a three-tower 900m-long extrados bridge over the Barrow River between Pink Point and Strokestown – to be open in early 2020 – that bypasses the town of New Ross. The extradosed bridge is characterised by its cables set at lower angles, meaning that pylons are shorter in relation to deck span lengths. ULMA was responsible for the transverse s
  • ULMA on the Guadiana Bridge
    October 5, 2021
    Heavy onsite winds and the simultaneous renovation of both pylons were challenges for ULMA when it supplied scaffolding for work on the Guadiana International Bridge