Technology on track

摘要

With advances in material technology, bridge designers are able to increase the efficiency of structural components and design longer and wider spans, but these designs require innovative construction solutions. Clients, on the other hand, are imposing more and more stringent schedule milestones, forcing contractors to seek solutions that save time and money. The bridge construction industry must find 'out of the box' technical solutions for the erection of superstructures that have been specifically designed for a certain project in order to increase productivity. Erection trusses have now been in use for over 40 years, having originated in Europe, and gradually expanded into markets across the rest of the world. As projects become more schedule-driven and technically complex, and as the specialised equipment sector finds safer, more efficient ways of erecting bridges, the initial up-front costs can be economically justified and the equipment regarded as essential to the success of the project.