Autokrane Schares Implements Innovative Jack-up System for Bridge Removal Project in Berlin

German heavy lift specialist Autokrane Schares has successfully completed a groundbreaking bridge project in Berlin utilizing the cutting-edge Enerpac JS-250 jack-up system. The project focused on removing a section of the iconic Marggraff Bridge over the Britzer Verbindungs Canal. The complexity of space limitations made this endeavor exceptionally challenging.

The Marggraff Bridge, initially constructed in 1965, comprises three bridge segments situated side by side. Autokrane Schares was entrusted with the intricate task of eliminating the initial 60-meter bridge section, weighing a hefty 1500 tonnes. The main challenge stemmed from spatial restrictions, compounded by the presence of overhead power lines and minimal room at the bustling road junction.

To facilitate the use of the Enerpac jack-up system under these constraints, multiple steps were undertaken. Firstly, a section of the bridge deck was dismantled at both ends of the bridge, allowing the jack-up system bases to be lowered onto the narrow towpath. Subsequently, the jack-up bases and header beams were meticulously positioned. The JS-250 jack-up system extensions were then added from a pontoon to enable the lifting process.

Operational complexity was further heightened by the need for synchronous lifting of the bridge section. An arrangement involving two interconnected split flow pumps was deployed to execute this critical phase of the project. Over the course of two weeks, the bridge deck removal was meticulously carried out in three distinct stages, with each 60-meter-long segment tipping the scales at between 450 and 630 tonnes.

The JS-250 played a pivotal role in hoisting the bridge deck approximately 3 meters above the abutments with the utmost precision. To facilitate successful removal, two pontoons were positioned beneath the elevated bridge deck to support its weight. The deck was then methodically floated to the side and gently lowered onto Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) for road-based transportation to a nearby dismantling site.

Given the close proximity of a high-traffic highway to the work area, meticulous operational execution was paramount. The adjustable top barrels featured in the JS-250, equipped with lock nut cylinders and swivel saddles, ensured stable lifting by allowing precise height adjustments for each leg. This remarkable bridge removal showcased how the JS-250’s compactness, ease of setup, and synchronization capability perfectly aligned with the unique demands of the Berlin project.