Our customer in the Civil Engineering Industry required Hedley to design and develop a universal hydraulic power unit that can be easily adapted to suit a number of different types of moving road bridge; table lift bridges, where the bridge is lifted vertically parallel to the surface of the water, tilting lift bridges, where the bridge deck is anchored at one side and tilts back to clear the waterway, and swing bridges, where the bridge deck swings round to clear the waterway.

The non-governmental organisation responsible for the operation and maintenance of all inland waterways in Scotland, Scottish Canals, operate a vast number of moving bridges across the canal network. Many of these are 30-50 years old, are unique to the site at which they are installed, and in urgent need of major refurbishment or replacement.

In order to save on future design costs Scottish Canals were looking for a solution whereby a universal hydraulic power unit design could be used along with a number of basic options to cater for the majority of bridge application.

Working in conjunction with the client, we underwent a study of the most common bridge types and operational requirements for each, using this data we able to define a specification, and basic universal power unit design. Further design work was then carried out to develop a number of standard options for each of the bridge types described above. 

If you have an engineering project you would like to talk to us about, give us a call on 01924 259999.