Brunel's Other Bridge

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Bob Watkin's drawings of the Transverse and Turntable Beams of the Brunel Swivel Bridge

Inspection and measurement of the beams showing rivets, bolts, plates and corrosion

Transverse Beams

As you will see from SK511 and 512, there is an apparent systematic defect on many of the transverse beams. The majority of the beams appear to be sound over the middle 3/4 of their span. However, near the ends where they are close to the edge beams there are widespread areas of corrosion. This corrosion has generally affected the web plate. On many of the beams the corrosion is worst at the crevice where the web plate meets the top angles of the beam section; on some beams there is also similar corrosion at the crevice where the web plate meets the bottom angles (see drawing SK517). On a number of the beams the corrosion is obviously of long standing and supplementary steel web plates have been welded (in a somewhat unworkmanlike way) into the corroded web at some time in the past. In some places it can also be seen that crevices have been filled with what appears to be cement grout. There are other isolated defects but these are more random in nature.

Superstructure Transverse Beams Elevations	Superstructure Transverse Beams Elevations
Superstructure Transverse Beams Elevations	Superstructure Transverse Beams Elevations
Superstructure Transverse Beams Elevations	Superstructure Transverse Beams Elevations and sections
Superstructure Transverse Beams

FINAL PROPOSAL
1. Remove duct tape and existing temporary steel plates.
2. Cut out any loose rivets.
3. Blast clean entire surface.
4. Replace any missing rivets.
5. Replace cut away web plate areas with new plate welded into existing web and to existing angles with extra fillet weld both sides.
6. Apply corrosion protection coating to entire section.
7. Apply Denso paste to top crevice between angles and web plate and then cover top surface with Densoclad tape as extra protection to top of section.

Turntable Beams

SUPERSTRUCTURE TURNTABLE BEAMS corrosion PLAN Scale 1:15
SUPERSTRUCTURE TURNTABLE BEAMS QUADRANT A (NORTH WEST) ELEVATIONS Corrosion Scale 1:15	SUPERSTRUCTURE TURNTABLE BEAMS QUADRANT B (NORTH EAST) ELEVATIONS Corrosion Scale 1:15
SUPERSTRUCTURE TURNTABLE BEAMS QUADRANT C (SOUTH EAST) ELEVATIONS Corrosion Scale 1:15	SUPERSTRUCTURE TURNTABLE BEAMS QUADRANT D (SOUTH WEST) ELEVATIONS Corrosion Scale 1:15