Norwegian bridge collapse prompts further investigations

The recent partial collapse of the Skjeggestad Bridge in Norway is prompting investigations of other similar structures in the country. The problem happened due to ground slipping around the bridge's foundations. This highlighted a known geological issue with regard to the presence of particular types of clay. Bridges constructed on quick clay are not unusual in Norway according to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, NPRA (Vegdirektoratet). NPRA is now compiling a review of other bridges at risk of s
February 6, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
RSSThe recent partial collapse of the Skjeggestad Bridge in Norway is prompting investigations of other similar structures in the country. The problem happened due to ground slipping around the bridge's foundations. This highlighted a known geological issue with regard to the presence of particular types of clay. Bridges constructed on quick clay are not unusual in Norway according to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, NPRA (Vegdirektoratet). NPRA is now compiling a review of other bridges at risk of similar collapse. The NPRA has asked the country’s regional authorities to examine bridges built using similar foundations to the Skjeggestad Bridge. The NPRA is keen to find out the reason for the collapse, so that future ones may be prevented. The Geological Survey of Norway (Norges Geologiske Undersøkelser, NGU), explained that when certain types of clay are subjected to sufficient stress they may become fluid due to the thixotropic nature of the material. Meanwhile Norway’s Ministry of Transport and Communications has said that it intends to repair and reopen the Skjeggestad Bridge as soon as possible.
Road Structures

Related Content

  • PPRS Nice 2018: maintenance moves mountains
    June 22, 2018
    Strategic maintenance was a major theme at the second Pavement Preservation and Recycling Summit in Nice, France. The world is changing, mobility is changing and so roads must change and adapt for the future.” With this brief statement, Jacques Tavernier opened the second PPRS Summit. “At the same time there is a growing awareness of poor or non-existent maintenance for highways. The question for this conference is how to adapt road maintenance in the face of this challenge,” said Tavernier, in his role as
    Read More
  • Changes possible for Lake Mjøsa Bridge
    September 28, 2022
    The proposed four-lane wooden bridge across Norway’s Lake Mjøsa would be the second such structure and part of the new E6 highway project.
    Read More
  • Astec launches Don't Let America Dead End road repair campaign
    January 15, 2015
    A major US manufacturer of equipment for building and restoring roads is spearheading a national campaign to have the Federal Government increase funding for America’s much needed highway repairs. Ben Brock, chief executive of Astec Industries, based in Tennessee, is urging people in the transportation and related industries to send a message to their Congressman through the Don’t Let America Dead End website. Astec’s Don't Let America Dead End also includes a national trade ad campaign, direct outrea
    Read More
  • River level monitoring to reduce scour risk
    July 11, 2022
    An OTT ecoLog 1000 water level logger with cellular data connection to Hydromet Cloud was trialled upon the Vales Burn Bridge in Scotland
    Read More

Highlighted Content