WG 173 : Movable Bridges and Rolling Gates
Chair : Tim Paulus (USA)
Status :
Terms of reference
Background
Movable Bridges and Rolling Gates are located throughout the world. A number of different bridge and gate types are utilized for navigation structures with their own unique design features. A variety of mechanical/electrical or other systems are used to operate these bridges and gates. Two typical methods are hydraulic cylinders or electrically operated gear driven machinery.
Some of the design considerations for selecting operating machinery include the type of bridges and the former design of rolling gates, loading conditions, site conditions, operations, maintenance, and operator preference.
A number of mechanical/electrical design manuals and guidance exist for bridge and lock operating machinery. However, informations on comprehensive “lessons learned” from actual installations are limited. Problems with mechanical /electrical systems quickly emerge causing expensive unscheduled closures and downtime. A comprehensive “lessons learned” on navigation bridges and rolling gates will help facilitate the design of new construction or rehabilitation, and in troubleshooting existing operational and maintenance issues, based on the investigations, recommendations and the report of WG 138 “Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Lessons Learned from Navigation Structures”.
Objective of the Working Group
Establish a working group of mechanical, electrical and constructive engineers to assemble “lessons learned” from navigation bridges and rolling gates and their operating systems and to give recommendations for future design.
Final Product
The intention will be to provide a comprehensive summary of design solutions, lessons learned, best practices and recommendations that can be incorporated into future bridge and rolling gates operating machinery and constructive designs. The report will include a summary of relevant guidance documents from various countries. The working group will provide guidance on the choice of systems to use in future designs for navigation structures.
Matters to be investigated
The report will use Case Studies to compile lessons learned on hydraulic machinery, electro-mechanical machinery, electrical control systems, construction elements and design and determine best practice to improve economic efficiency, reliability and thus availability. Some of the issues that could be investigated include:
• Troubleshooting – Difficult for bridge and lock personnel to troubleshoot is complicated.
• Exterior Mounted Components – Vulnerable to sun, water, flooding, environmental and historical conditions.
• Custom designed drive elements and other components with long lead times for service and delivery.
• Possibility of impact damage on machinery connections to the bridges and gates
• Labor intensive maintenance.
• Different control systems
The Working Group will review all areas of concern and prioritize them to prepare a shortlist of matters of critical concern to navigation operators and engineers and develop its report accordingly.
Desirable Background or Experience of Working Group Members
The background and experience may include the following:
• Mechanical/Electrical Design engineers
• Engineers of mechanical constructions and design
• Lock operators
• Lock maintenance personnel
• Supply Industry representatives
Relevance for Countries in Transition
Lessons Learned on experiences of movable bridges and rolling gates in navigation structures and design recommendations for future new constructions are relevant for all countries, including Countries in Transition.
List of Members
Timothy M. Paulus PE - Chairman
US Army Corps of Engineers – St Paul District
Xavier Ducret
CMD Gears
Brenden McKinley - Secretary
US Army Corps of Engineers
Rick W. Schultz P.E.
Mechanical Engineer
Mr. Dipl.-Ing. Ralf Weisenseel
DriveCon GmbH
Mr. Dipl.-Ing. Dirk Mahrholz
Teamleiter Elektrotechnik -
Doktor Matthias Schafers
IRS-GmbH
Ir. Pieter van Lierop
Iv-Infra bv
W.D. (Wouter) de Man
Rijkswaterstaat
Gerard Bouwman
Rijkswaterstaat
Bas Dietvorst
Rijkswaterstaat
Marc Verbeek
Witteveen + Bos
Anton van Kooij |
ARCADIS Nederland BV |
Bert van der Vegt:
Rijkswaterstaat
Dan Boich
St Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
Jim Athanasiou PEng.
St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
Dave Williams
DJW Consulting Ltd
John Kiernan M.(Eng)
Waterways Ireland
Juan (Johnny) Wong –
ACP Panama Canal Authority
Kris Avaux, MSc. – corresponding member
Vlaamse Overheid, Elektromechanica en Telematica, Belgium
Table of Contents
1.Introduction
2.Discussion Common Items
3.Design approach and Issues Rolling Gates
4.Sliding Gates
5.Panama Canal – Rolling Gates
6.Antwerp – Rolling Gates
7.Bremerhaven – Rolling Gates
8.The Netherlands – Rolling Gates
9.France – Rolling Gates
10.Movable Bridges – Design Issues
11.Movable Bridges – Safety
12.Antwerp – Movable Bridges
13.Germany Movable Bridges
14.The Netherlands Movable Bridges
15.France Movable Bridges
16.St Lawrence Seaway Movable Bridges
17.UK and Ireland Movable Bridges
18.USA Movable Bridges
19.Electrical
20.Risk
21.Automation, Standardisation
Appendices
Attachements
Pictures
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