The Sitra Causeway project in Bahrain was planned in June 2005 to replace the two existing concrete bridges between Sitra and Manama. These were built in the 1970s and due to the harsh marine environment and overloading, the condition of the bridges has deteriorated to a state where further repairs and refurbishments were no longer technically and economically feasible. The causeway and bridges are a major traffic link in the road network of the country, providing the main link between the capital Manama on Bahrain Island and the Nabih Saleh and Sitra lslands.
The project involved the construction of two marine bridges and associated embankment works, together with flyovers at both ends of the causeway and on Nabih Saleh Island. The new structures have been designed for a design life of 120 years and a structural maintenance free period of 40 years.
Soil Dynamics (Malaysia) was appointed to carry out Bi-Directional Static Load Tests on six piles, two of which were located at Umm Al Hassam Flyover, two at North Marine Bridge and two at South Marine Bridge. The piles had a 1,500mm diameter with a test load up to 3,400 tonnes. The tests were carried out in between 2007 and 2008. Besides Bi-Directional Static Load Testing, Soil Dynamics has also carried out CAPWAP and Cross Hole Sonic Logging analysis on other piles tested in this project.
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