LAUNCHING OF THE H.S.R.L. VIADUCT OVER THE LLOBREGAT RIVVER

This project follows the procedure established for the launch of the high-speed viaduct over the A7 motorway. In this case the viaduct has to cross the bed of the river Llobregat, two existing railway lines and a road without interrupting road or rail traffic. .

The design process required a detailed analysis of different launching options. The optimum solution chosen being one that uses a 16m long launching nose so to reach a maximum span of 63 m with minimum deflections.

Both the launching process and the to be launched structure have been analysed in order to ascertain loads on piers and deflections and stresses in the structure at each instant of time,  ensuring that the hollow stringers could withstand the bending and concentrated loads during the launching process.