What is heat straightening?
The first use of Heat-straightening in the UK, performed to realign impact damaged bridge structures was in 2000, on the severely impact damaged M5 New Road Overbridge near Bridgewater. The recommendations of the FHWA were followed and the repair proved to be very successful. Subsequently around 35 impact damaged bridges around the UK have been realigned by the heat-straightening process, and ei's staff have been involved in more than half.
All of the realigned structures have been highway bridges. To date, no UK railway bridges have been repaired, but there are records of riveted railway bridges being successfully heat-straightened in the USA and Canada.
ei are the leading design consultant specialising in developing heating procedures for the repair of damaged structures, and can provide bespoke training packages to consultants and contractors who undertake steel structure repairs and maintenance
Summary
• A versatile process for repair of impact damaged and misaligned steel bridges and other structures
• A fraction of the cost of replacement•No heavy equipment required•Small work crew typically between 5 & 7 including the Supervisor
• Typical repair completed in 3 to 4 shifts
• Material properties maintained within permitted limits
• Small amounts of heat applied in multiple pre-planned patterns and sequences
• External support from road level seldom required•Can be used in combination with cut-outs of damaged secondary steelwork.
We provide a Design Appreciation Course on heat straightening that will leave you able to plan and execute a practical heat straightening repair.
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Our Services
Engineering management is critical to ensure the safe and efficient operation of their assets and networks.
ei work closely with our clients to ensure that their engineering projects are delivered to the required standards, to the specific requirements, within budget and on time.
ei has developed a self assurance model supported by our bespoke competency assessment matrix. This ensures that ei can provide a formal authority to work for all members of our team.
We provide multidisciplinary engineering management expertise to rail, transportation, and infrastructure projects. Involving the latest in systems engineering thinking, tools and best practice, and apply it practically and pragmatically alongside our design and construction experience.
We successfully define and integrate the technical, contractual, programme, stakeholder and construction interfaces to ensure our projects deliver quality output, to budget and on time.
Innovation & Development
The rail industry is constantly evolving, and innovation, efficiency and development are essential to its continued success.
One of the key areas of innovation in recent years has been the use of 4D visualization and planning techniques.
4D visualization allows project teams to visualize the project and its progress over time, without having to undertake site walkouts, improving communication and collaboration between stakeholders.