Garoo Bridge Upgrades.
Client.
Tamworth Regional Council
Location.
New South Wales
Project Description.
As part of an initiative to improve freight productivity, Tamworth Regional Council sought to gazette Garoo Rd and Lindsays Gap Rd for Higher Mass Limit (HML) B-double vehicles. Two bridges along the route (Lucella Bridge and Middlebrook Creek Bridge) were known to be deficient.
Ductile Consulting Engineers (partnering with Constructive Solutions) were engaged to assess the bridges and develop and implement strengthening solutions.
One of the bridges did not have drawings for the deck and piles, hence alternative methods including field investigations and assumptions/sensitivity testing needed to be adopted. We assessed the bridges and developed bespoke repair and strengthening solutions including the use of carbon fibre strengthening of headstocks.
Following completion of the strengthening works, we undertook load testing of one of the bridges to validate the design assumptions. Using strain gauges, we were able to correlate bridge displacements with those predicted in our finite element model, thus verifying that the installed strengthening work had been effective.
Other Projects.
Level 3 Structural Assessment – Walcha Council
We undertook a Level 3 structural assessment of G R Hicks Bridge, evaluating its load-carrying capacity and investigating concrete deterioration. We provided recommendations for targeted repairs, heavy vehicle access and ongoing asset management to support the bridge’s long-term serviceability.
PMHC – Bridge Assessment Program
Port Macquarie Hastings Council engaged Ductile Consulting Engineers to assess heavy vehicle capacity across its bridge network. Ductile evaluated 91 bridges and, using automated tools, delivered efficient insights and clear recommendations to guide access.
Orlando St Bridge Level 3 Inspection
Routine inspections of the Orlando St Bridge revealed significant deterioration, leading to Ductile Consulting Engineers being engaged. Their analysis confirmed no load restriction was needed and informed repairs to extend the bridge’s life by at least 30 years at a fraction of replacement cost.