Kochi: BAI demands load test of bridge
There are plenty of examples including in Kerala where load tests were conducted to prove the trafficworthiness of a bridge.
Kochi: The Builders Association of India(BAI) has urged the State government to conduct a load bearing test before taking final decision on demolishing Palarivattom flyover. Engineering expertise is to make a structure, even if it has defects, usable by strengthening it, and not demolishing it, said office-bearers of BAI while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday.
"There are plenty of examples including in Kerala where load tests were conducted to prove the trafficworthiness of a bridge. The association is ready to prove that the flyover is safe and fit for traffic movement. The integrity of the structure should not be declared unfit only because a few mean values of samples fall below 85 per cent of the required strength. Instead, a load test as prescribed by Indian Road Congress specifications has to be carried out under the supervision of a reputed agency with substantial experience. If the load test is successful, further rectifications, if any, can be carried out as per the recommendations of a reputed bridge engineering agency. The Association of Structural Engineers (Kerala Chapter) has offered their voluntary services for this," said Prince Joseph, BAI state chairman.
The association also expressed unhappiness over the government decision to award the work to Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society without a transparent competitive bid.