Arch Engineers provided bridge launch engineering expertise for the “Crack in the Earth Bridge Launch,” a technically demanding project involving the launch of a cambered steel girder bridge across a deep, environmentally sensitive canyon. The project required precision engineering to ensure the bridge’s successful installation while safeguarding the surrounding ecosystem.
One of the most challenging aspects was the design of the connection between the bridge and the launch nose. This critical interface required detailed calculations and modeling using advanced engineering software to ensure stability and structural integrity throughout the launch process. The design accounted for the bridge’s unique camber, as well as the dynamic forces acting on the connection during the incremental movement of the bridge segments.
In addition to the connection design, Arch developed precise counterweight configurations and dynamic stability models to manage the bridge’s complex geometry. Detailed staging plans outlined the sequence of operations and equipment placement to maximize safety and efficiency during the launch. The environmentally sensitive location necessitated close collaboration with environmental regulators and compliance with strict guidelines to minimize disruption to the canyon’s natural landscape.