2022
MASAFI RAS AL KHAIMA, U.A.E
MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
WAAGNER BIRO BRIDGE SERVICES
BRIDGE PIER PROTECTION FOR FRIDAY MARKET
Section Drawing of the Project
During Construction
After the Construction
After the Construction
Challenge
A specific bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure located on the road leading from the bustling Friday Market towards Masafi, crossing a wadi region in the UAE known for its susceptibility to intense, short-duration flash floods. The structural integrity of this transportation link was brought into question when routine inspections revealed significant erosion around the base of its support piers, requiring an immediate and durable engineering solution to prevent potential failure.
The core issue identified was severe local scour at the bridge piers. During flash flood events, high-velocity water flows dynamically eroded the wadi bed and surrounding soil, progressively undermining the bridge’s foundations. This process threatened the structure’s stability. The specific location in a wadi environment means that the protective measures had to be robust enough to withstand repetitive and aggressive hydraulic forces, that conventional structures might not endure, making resilient scour protection crucial for long-term safety.
Solution
Maccaferri comprehensive remediation strategy was proposed utilizing advanced gabions and Terramesh systems. This approach leveraged the inherent flexibility and permeability of rock-filled structures, which can adapt to ground settlement without failure, unlike typical concrete solutions. The long-term performance was further enhanced by Maccaferri’s Polimac coating, an advanced coating system designed for exceptional longevity, providing superior resistance to corrosion and abrasion, effectively armouring the bridge piers against future flood events
