Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

SCHEUERLE supplies gigantic vehicle system for bridge construction

in China in joint venture with DEAL

For the construction of the 36-kilometre long – and thus one of the longest bridges in the world – SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH in close cooperation with DEAL has supplied a transport system with a load capacity of more than 1500 t. The transport system, consisting of four individual vehicles, has been designed to carry pre-cast concrete elements with lengths of around 50 metres and weighing up to 1,500 tonnes to the assembly site for the Hang Zhou Bay Bridge in Shanghai.



The transport system was commissioned by DEAL, an Italian company specializing in the realisation of prefabricated construction systems along with the transport and laying of pre-cast bridge sections, which has developed this particular type of bridge construction technology with the aim of organising building site and material logistics for increasingly bigger bridge construction projects in a more efficient and thus more cost-effective manner. In close co-operation with the Pfedelbach-based special vehicle manufacturer, SCHEUERLE, the aptly-named Girder transport system has been developed which will be used together with the laying machine, conveyor carriages and the gantry cranes, likewise supplied by DEAL.



The transport system comprises of four individual vehicles, each equipped with 20 axle lines. Bridge segments are taken up using two articulated cross beams which connect two of the vehicles with each other in each case. Each axle line consists of two 4-wheel pendulum axles. This means each individual module moves on 160 and the complete four-vehicle combination on 640 wheels. The total load-bearing capacity of the combined modules is 1,500 tonnes with a tare weight of around 500 tonnes. Thus, the transport system has a total weight of more than 2,000 t when fully loaded – a challenge for any road surface. With a length of 76.3 metres and a width of 25.8 metres, the surface area of the transport system itself has enough space to accommodate 25 standard detached houses.



The four vehicle units are driven in each case by a specially designed Power Pack Unit (PPU). Each PPU is equipped with a Deutz diesel engine which produces pressure oil via hydraulic pumps. The hydrostatic drive and the steering movements of the hydro-mechanical counter-steered pendulum axles are then activated which are electronically controlled via a central computer. The vehicles are fitted with an optional automatic guidance system and the correct distance to each module is controlled electronically as only very small loads are allowed to act on the bridge segment.



Likewise, the vehicle´s lifting system is pressurized by means of the oil via the hydraulic cylinder integrated in the pendulum axles. The transport system can then be easily adjusted to deal with road surface unevenness and thus maintain uniform axle pressure during transportation. At the assembly tract on the bridge, the two front vehicles lower themselves on their hydraulic supports so that any forces can be safely transferred into the area of the bridge pier. Subsequently, the rear vehicles push forward the bridge section, which is positioned on lockable trolleys located on the front vehicles, to the DEAL laying machine. When the final position is reached, the rear vehicles are also lowered by means of their hydraulic supports. The laying equipment now supports itself on the rear modules and removes the bridge segment from the vehicles. After this, the segment is placed in its final position while the SCHEUERLE transport system unit makes its way back to collect the next construction element.



In order not to adversely affect the building progress of this enormous project in any way, reliability is a prerequisite. Therefore, SCHEUERLE only uses tried and tested components in these special vehicles which have already proven their dependability in many other applications.



Whether it´s driving motors, hydraulic components or our own specially developed electronic control system - in principle, only high-quality materials are used for such projects, said Andreas Kohler, Head of Technical Operations at SCHEUERLE, and responsible for the functionality of these sophisticated special vehicles.





Technical data of the complete transport system at a glance:



Total weight: approx. 2,000,000 kg

Tare weight: approx. 500,000 kg

Payload: approx. 1,500,000 kg

Perm. axle line load: 80 x 23,640 kg

Perm. wheel load: 640 x 2,955 kg

No. of axle lines: 80

No. of pendulum axles: 160

No. of driving axles: 20

No. of braking axle lines: 12

No. of steered axle lines: 80

Tyres: 640-fach, size 8.25 R15, twin tyres

Total length: approx. 76,300 mm

Total width: approx. 25,730 mm

Loading height in drive

position unloaded: 3,200 mm +/- 300 mm

Total lift: 600 mm

Engine: 4 x Deutz diesel engines - Type: KHD BF 6M 1015C,

(286 kW at 2100 rpm) according to COM II EPA II



Enclosed Pictures:



Picture 1:

The Girder transport system from SCHEUERLE being loaded by a DEAL crane at the bridge segment production area.



Picture 2:

The bridge segment is taken on board by the DEAL laying machine from the SCHEUERLE transporter at the place of installation and positioned on the bridge piers.



SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

Transporters from SCHEUERLE are recognised across the world for their advanced technology and special product quality. Reliability in daily use, high load capacity and a long working life make the vehicles a very important component of modern logistical operations. The history of vehicle technology for heavy transport vehicles is closely connected with the name of SCHEUERLE and the company has a well-earned reputation of linking tradition and innovation. Together with KAMAG Transporttechnik in Ulm and NICOLAS Industries in Champs-sur-Yonne, France, SCHEUERLE belongs to the group of companies owned by the Heilbronn industrialist, Otto Rettenmaier. Within the group, the TII – Transporter Industry International heavy-load division is global market leader.