Sean O'Casey Bridge
Appointed by main civil contractor John Mowlem Construction Ltd Qualter Hall’s scope of work included the design, supply, installation and commissioning of the Sean O’Casey Bridge (a.k.a. ‘The Celtic Tiger Bridge’), a new double-leaf pedestrian swing bridge over the River Liffey in Dublin.
What work was done by Qualter Hall on the Sean O'Casey Bridge?
- Detail and incorporation of the client’s initial structural design into fabrication drawings.
- Complete design, fabrication and supply of the mechanical, electrical and hydraulic operating and control systems for the bridge.
How is the Sean O'Casey Bridge Constructed?
Two bridge leaves each measuring 44m nose to tail and 4.5m wide, provide a river crossing of 88m bank to bank and these swing open to allow boats to pass along the river.
Each leaf, weighing 180 tonnes, rotates on a centre pivot driven through 90 degrees by twin hydraulic cylinders, with interlocked hydraulic nose and tail bolts. Hydraulic power units and electrical controls are located below the deck adjacent to the centre pivots.
Each bridge leaf is supported centrally on a fabricated cradle having four arms, which are located at either side of the walkway area. The bridge decks are supported at both extremities with a cable rod system, which is connected to the tips of the cradle arms. The deck is constructed from aluminium hollow section profiles and both sides are fitted with stainless steel protective handrail and balustrade infill panels.
Each bridge leaf pivots horizontally on a slew bearing that is secured to the central fabrication, which in turn is anchored to the top of the concrete support plinth in the river.
The bridge is operated locally by radio pendant, with pedestrian gates being closed prior to operation.
About the Sean O'Casey Bridge
Opened in July 2005, the Sean O’Casey Bridge was part of a large scale urban renewal scheme under the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, which linked both the north and south quays, and rejuvenated both. The bridge connects City Quay to the North Wall Quay and the International Financial Services Centre (I.F.S.C.)
The bridge was designed by Cyril O’Neill and O’Connor Sutton Cronin Consulting Engineers, and named after the Irish playwright Seán O’Casey (1880–1964).
Construction video from Bridges of Dublin: http://www.bridgesofdublin.ie/gallery/view/video/sean-ocasey-bridge-construction-200512
