Accelerated Merwede Bridge repairs at end of 2016 thanks in part to RAD
The Merwede Bridge, which is part of the A27, was closed to traffic heavier than 3.5 tons in October 2016 after hairline cracks were found in its structure.
Accelerated repairs to the main joints of the Merwede Bridge allowed heavy road traffic to use the bridge as early as December, and the temporary restrictions on shipping were lifted.
To make the bridge safe again, 48 connection pieces had to be reinforced with steel plates. These plates were fastened with M30 bolts, tightened to 1,100 Nm and then 90˚ angular rotation.
To apply these thousands of bolted connections quickly and accurately, the choice was made to use B-RAD SELECT battery powered torque wrenches from RAD Torque Systems. (Hydraulic torque wrenches were not considered because they operate too slowly and cumbersomely).
The choice of RAD battery powered torque wrenches speaks for itself: these wrenches are immediately ready to use, no hoses and cables need to be connected and the desired tightening torque is typed into the wrench after which one can start working immediately.
For the hard-to-reach areas, V-RAD electric torque wrenches in 90˚ design were used. Tightening torques were also verified in the process with the RAD Smart Socket™, RAD’s patented intelligent power cap.
This way of working allowed freight traffic to use the bridge again sooner than planned.
According to the Dutch ministry of Traffic: “The chosen approach offers a sustainable, safe solution that meets the requirements of the renovation of the bridge as part of the widening of the A27 highway”.