Design of Rail Viaducts over the Hajar Mountains

Abstract

<p>Major railway bridges across the Hajar mountain range belonging to the Etihad Rail Package D of Stage Two of the UAE National Railway Network are built above important wadis and roads.</p><p>Standard railway bridges are articulated in 40m long simply supported spans. Tall piers and abutments are required due to the complex terrain and the rail alignment configuration.</p><p>Construction logistics and program being key constraints, solutions featuring precast elements have been favoured. The bridge section is made of 7 post-tensioned precast I-girders of 2.50m depth and a reinforced concrete top slab supporting the ballasted track system.</p><p>The aim of this paper is to describe the structural system as well as to discuss some important design related aspects related to the precast girder type railway bridges built across the Hajar mountains.</p>