Balancing the Beams

Jonathan Wiltshire and I spent many days making the beams line and level - before we secured the beams to the end-plates.

New End-Plate Secured In Place

Stephen Mather and Stuart Graham secured the new end-plate in place on the 8th February 2008.

New End-Plate

A new end-plate was designed by Price & Myers and manufactured in Pershore, Worcestershire, by Steven Cooper. This was collected by me on 17th December 2007.

Field Visit by Price & Myers

Ian Fussel of Price & Myers visited the site on 28th November to survey the bridge prior to designing one or two new end-plates. We made some final adjustments to the two side beams, but it is impossible to iron out the twist with beams cut to a profile for a 'twisted' bridge. We were heartened to find that there will only be one end-plate required for redesign. This Ian was to do so that we could try and get it fabricated and in place before the Xmas break.

The top photo shows the "twisted" bridge, taken on 14th September. This is followed by a photo showing Ian Fussel standing to the right of the "level" bridge. The photo below reveals the bridge supported by three trestles and a quantity of jacks.

Crisis Meeting in London

I convened a crisis meeting in London on 15th November. William McMorran from consulting architects, McMorran & Gatehouse, identified that the new endplate drawings may well twist the bridge in the opposite direction. As Price & Myers had designed two new end-plates for fabrication it was time to get together and talk about the bridge design and the options which faced us with regards to the end-plates. Price & Myers were represented by Tim Lucas and Ian Fussel.

Tim took us through the chosen geometry of the bridge which resulted in a twist. Discussion was had around the redesigning of the end-plates and the possibility that they might well not suit the purpose. It was agreed that Ian would send me some drawings which would identify the location of three trestles to be built to support the bridge so that the decking would be level. Once the bridge was secured on the trestles P&M would make a visit to design new endplates around the level bridge configuration.

Endplates

I spent an hour and a half securing the raised beams and making a template of the end-plate which I removed yesterday. Another beautiful day in the gardens with autumn colours coming through ... I am unsure as to how long I will have to wait for the new end-plate to turn up? There is not a lot I can do until it does.

Price & Myers have now decided to redesign the two endplates, have them fabricated and sent up to the site. The design work will be completed on Monday 15th October by Ian Fosell. I can guess that the galvanised plates won't be up here for at least 3 to 4 weeks.

Removal of Endplate

Spent four and a half hours today, Monday 1st October, removing the left-hand end-plate which is to be scrapped. A gorgeous Indian Summer sort of day ...