Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project: In a first, 31-metre U-girder successfully cast, how it can speed up construction

These girders will be used to construct a viaduct (elevated section) of around 8 km from Hebbal to Yeshvantpura, a part of the ‘Mallige’ line or Corridor 2 of the BSRP, as per an official release of the BSRP.

According to K-RIDE sources, one single-span U-girder between two pillars can be built in a single night. (Express Photo)

Each of these U-girders, which are pre-tensioned, precast girders allowing the track to be laid right away, is made of 69.5 cubic metres of M60 grade concrete and weighs 178 tonnes, and Corridor 2 requires 450 such U-girders; it said.

“Claimed as an engineering marvel, this 31m U-girder has been designed by Assystem STUP for BSRP and proof-checked by IIT-Madras. Third-party design evaluation has been done by a General consultant (JV of Egis, Aecom and WSP). Entire supervision, precision execution, and quality control were closely monitored by K-RIDE, Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company Limited)” the release stated.

According to K-RIDE sources, one single-span U-girder between two pillars can be built in a single night. Unlike box girders or I-girders, track laying on these girders can be done right away, and the use of a 31-metre, single-span girder will reduce the number of piers and foundations as compared to a 28-metre girder, resulting in less time to complete works.

The project is being implemented along four corridors – Sampige, Mallige, Parijaata, and Kanaka. (Express Photo)

The BSRP is envisaged as an eco-friendly transportation system similar to Bengaluru Metro, facilitating convenient and accessible transportation. The project is being implemented along four corridors – Sampige, Mallige, Parijaata, and Kanaka.

The Sampige corridor is between Kempegowda railway station and Devanahalli (41.4 km and 15 stations), Mallige between Baiyappanahalli terminal and Chikkabanavara (25 km and 14 stations), Parijaata between Kengeri and Whitefield (35.52 km and nine stations), and Kanaka between Heelalige and Rajankunte (46.24 km and 19 stations).