ULMA engineering solutions on the emblematic Arch of Innovation bridge, Brazil

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.
June 21, 2020 Read time: 3 mins

 

This bridge will create a safer and faster route for more than 180,000 vehicles/day, which will ease Sao Paulo's traffic. It will also include a bicycle lane of more than 3.6km.

One of the most relevant requirements in this project has been the versatility of the systems and the safety of the operators. 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 has once again trust in ULMA's engineering solutions, as well as in the capacity to respond to a project with stringent execution deadlines.

ULMA pic2The ATR self-climbing system was chosen for the two pylons with variable inclination and four-sided section, in combination with the VMK timber-beam formwork for the outside and the KSP platform for the inside. The self-climbing system has been perfectly adapted to the inclination and elliptical curve of the shaft of up to 23º in the last concreting. The whole set has allowed high execution rates, three-day concreting cycles in 3.6m high sections, without the need for a crane. In addition, it has three levels of working platforms for carrying out work on the formwork, rebar or concrete, as well as for lifting the structure, maintaining strict safety levels at great heights at all times. The platforms were designed in such a way that it was possible to regulate the angle to maintain horizontality as the arch progressed.  Despite the complexity of the geometry, the MK system has solved all the structural requirements.

With regard to productivity, the use of self-climbing formwork halves working times compared to a conventional climbing system in this type of project. This is because the system requires less handling. As the movement is carried out using a hydraulic system, there is minimal use of the crane, which is freed up for other tasks.

The two carriageways rest on an X shape. They were built with ENKOFORM HMK, supported by T-60 shoring towers. A solution of MK gantry formwork was proposed for the rest of the board to avoid closing the tracks.

For the construction of the arch section of the bridge, a supporting structure made of MK and VM beams supported by T-60 shoring systems was constructed. Custom metal profiles bear all the weight of the T-60 shoring system.

To access the different areas of the bridge, BRIO stairs were enabled 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.

Constructor: QUEIROZ GALVÃO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

Sponsored content produced in association with ULMA Construction

Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Emergent markets key for formwork sector growth
    May 21, 2014
    Central and south-east Europe are hotbeds for new highway infrastructure projects utilising cutting-edge formwork solutions, while a number of leading formwork manufacturers are also looking at emergent markets for growth. Guy Woodford reports Travelling between Hungary’s capital Budapest and Southern Dalmatia now takes less time thanks to the Pan-European Corridor Vc – European route 73. Numerous tunnels and bridges are erected along the 397km stretch of the European route 73 through Bosnia owing to the
    Read More
  • Nigeria’s giant city Lagos to benefit from a new cable-stayed bridge
    September 19, 2012
    The first cable-stayed bridge in Nigeria will link two districts of the megacity of Lagos Nigeria’s first cable-stayed bridge, the Lekki Ikoyi Bridge in the megacity of Lagos is scheduled for completion at the end of 2012. Its striking 90m high pylon characterises the appearance of the 1,357m long bridge, which will connect two districts of the West African city, Lekki on the Lekki Peninsula and Ikoyi on Lagos Island.
    Read More
  • Ulma Construction expands circular formwork offering with Biramax
    October 28, 2016
    Spanish company Ulma Construction said that is has developed Biramax in an effort to create adjustable formwork at once easy to assemble and profitable for the client, in terms of both use and durability. The adjustable circular formwork Biramax has only four adjustment points and the placement of compensation plates between panels is easy to accomplish. The panel frame is made of the high-quality and resistant galvanised steel and the plastic surface of the formwork panels is highly moisture resista
    Read More
  • New bridge for old Russian city
    July 30, 2012
    Murom, one of Russia's best preserved old cities, is situated in the European part of the country, around 300km to the east of Moscow. The most important industry and economic activities are mechanical engineering along with timber and textiles. The location on the River Oka, a tributary of the Volga and thus an important waterway, as well as the good connections to important main roads and rail routes, are positive economic factors. It is near Murom that German formwork and scaffolding specialist PERI is p
    Read More

Highlighted Content