Bridge construction using massive heavy scaffolding has been replaced by incremental launch technology; using tacts expanding whole bridge precast span or even more. On one side of construction site, on preparation station, whole bridge span is precast and progressively launched using hydraulic presses over pillars of future bridge. For incremental launch procedure, special “temporary” bearings are produced, which with their design and sliding surfaces (inox-PTFE) enable launching procedure with minimal friction factor.

After whole bridge structure has been launched, using special hydraulic lifts, bridge structure is lifted and temporary bearings are replaced with permanent structural bearings.

POLIROL incremental launch “temporary” bearings have been used for incremental launching of following bridges in Croatia and BiH Federation: Vijaduct „Hreljin“ (span 41.5 m; length 545 m) Vijaduct „Rašćane“ (span 33 m; length 627 m) Vijaduct „Šare“ (span 33 m; length 402 m) Vijaduct „Kuk“ (span 61.5 m; length 369 m) Bridge „No 3“ (span 43,0 m, length 497 m) „Bosna“ bridge (span 36,0 m, length 418 m)

Advantages of incremental launch building technology:

• Reducing cost of building
• Replacement of heavy, expensive scaffolds
• No heavy cargo lifting to structure
• Shorter construction period