Efco climbs landmark bridge

Taiwan is already famous for one of the tallest buildings in the world, Taipei 101, but a new landmark bridge is now under construction that will see Taipei city linked with San Chung city in equally impressive fashion.

The bridge crossing at the intersection of the Dan Han Creek, Hsin Tin Creek and Tan Sui River is due for completion in 2010 and contractors Chun Yuan Construction have selected Efco Forms to undertake the formwork operations for the architecturally stunning 138 m tall central pylon.

"The Efco Power Tower and Plate Girder forming system has proved to be the right forming solution, helping us to overcome the many challenges we've faced during the construction of this project," said Nelson Su, construction manager for Chun Yuan Construction.

The Power Tower system offers crane-free cycling of the formwork, while the Plate Girder system provides the structural integrity and strength required to support the concrete pours as the pylon slants 12 degrees from vertical.

Due to the curved design of the central pylon, Efco Engineering also had to design an innovative mast to enable the Power Tower to climb on a radius.

The Power Tower will make some 31 lifts of approximately 4 m to reach 138 m, and Chun Yuan Construction is currently achieving an 11-day cycle, down from the 14 day cycle that workers achieved at the commencement of the project.