New Rama IX parallel bridge design undergoes wind testing

New Rama IX parallel bridge design undergoes wind testing

BANGKOK, 15 September 2016 (NNT) - The technical structure of the new Rama IX parallel bridge is now receiving a wind tunnel test to examine its structural resilience. 

Chairman of the Expressway Authority of Thailand, Gen Wiwat Suchart said the design of the new expressway connecting Rama III with Dao Khanong and the western Bangkok outer ring road has now been completed.

The project’s bridge over the Chao Phraya River, which will run parallel to the existing Rama IX bridge is now being tested in a wind tunnel at the Faculty of Engineering at Thammasat University.

Testing simulates the two bridges alongside each other when subjected to wind speeds up to tornado levels of 400 kilometers per hour. The highest wind speed Thailand has ever experienced was 120 kilometers per hour. 

A Professor at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Engineering Wiroj Boonyapinyo said the first parallel bridge of its kind in Thailand will be more susceptible to the effects of wind and must therefore undergo thorough testing to ensure structural resilience.

Testing is expected to be completed at the end of October, and the results will be forwarded to the project’s contracted consulting company for further assessment. 

Tenders for the construction of the new expressway line are slated to be called next year. The project is expected to take 3 years to complete.

 

-- nnt 2016-09-15