The Hodariyat Bridge, Abu Dhabi (UAE)

SEGMENTS, WINTER 2011, VOL. 56

The new Hodariyat Bridge (Figs. 10 and 11) represents two significant firsts for Abu Dhabi. The main span will be the first cable-stayed bridge built in the city, while the two approaches will be the first launched segmental structures.

Located on the southwestern coast of Abu Dhabi Island, the new bridge will connect to the currently undeveloped Hodariyat Island. The total length of the bridge is over 1,300 meters, including main spans of 396m, and approaches of 425m and 480m. Extensive use of precast concrete is employed on this project in order to meet the cost, schedule and durability goals.

The approach box girders consist of a single-cell box girder with a maximum width of 36.3m. Typical spans are 55m long. The exceptional width of the segments, among the widest ever produced, requires the use of precast struts designed to distribute the deck loads to the webs. This unusual width combined with the launched construction method requires a careful distribution of the longitudinal post-tensioning over the width of the top slab.

The approach piers are made of precast segments, cast by the long-line method. The precast piers are designed to resist the friction forces during launching, which results in an unsymmetric post-tensioning layout. The pile caps are formed with permanent precast shells, supported by the pile casings.

The main bridge superstructure consists of a precast segmental box girder, supported by a central plane of cables. The main bridge cross section is similar to that of the approaches, but with thinner webs, reflecting the lower shear demand. The cables are deviated at the solid pylons through VSL SSI saddles, and include a maximum of 109 strands. The main bridge is erected in balanced cantilever with a beam and winch system.

Design and construction of the bridge began with Notice to Proceed in September 2009. Pile driving started in January 2010. As of the fall of 2010, the piers are complete, and the approach spans are approximately halfway complete. Precasting of the main span segments is underway, and segment erection is scheduled to begin this winter. The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic in November 2011.