Antlers Bridge – California

form travelers
Fig. 1 – Antlers Bridge being built with form travelers

For this project, we redesigned existing form travelers already owned by the supplier to fit the new bridge cross-section. We performed the required structural analysis and produced the modification drawings. We also calculated the form traveler reactions and the expected formwork deflections. These parameters are required for checking construction stresses and developing proper casting curves for the bridge superstructure. The immediate form deflections are combined with long-term creep and shrinkage deformations to determine the theoretical formwork elevations at the time of the segment pour. Form travelers, also referred to as bridge builders, are self-launching formwork systems that support themselves entirely off the previous segment for constructing the current segment. Once the concrete has reached the specified strength, the longitudinal tendons are stressed and the bridge builder is advanced by one segment length. The form traveler is launched on a set of rails, which also provide the reaction at the back to prevent the system from over-turning.

form travelers
Fig. 2 – Form traveler being set up on the pier table