PROJECT: VERTICAL LIFT BRIDGE

MOTIVATION
The motivation behind the project is the KATTWYK BRIDGE, HAMSBERG, GERMANY.
The bridge was built in 1972. The bridge has a unique feature that it based on the Vertical Lift
Mechanism, its middle (movable) part lifts to give way to the ship passing by thus maintaining
waterways transport. Till now no bridge such has been built in India.
ADVANTAGE OF MOVABLE BRIDGE
Movable A moveable bridge is a Bridge, that moves to allow passage (usually) for boats or
barges. An advantage of making bridges moveable is the lower price, due to the absence of
high piers and long approaches
ADVANTAGE OF VERTICAL LIFT BRIDGE
-

They cost less to build for longer moveable spans.

The counterweights in a vertical lift are required to be equal to the weight of the deck
whereas bascule bridge counterweights must weigh several times as much as the span
being lifted.
and so this type of bridge is especially suited for heavy railroad use.

MECHANISM
-

Movable portion of the bridge is connected to Counter weight on both end by Wire rope
passing over pulley, Pulleys are fixed on Bridge Supporting frame structure.
A water Tank is fixed below Movable portion of the bridge.
A small water pump to be fixed on Structure Below Bridge supporting Frame, Water
pump Inlet /outlet to tank will be common and to be connected with Pump discharge
throu Flexible Hose connection.
Bridge Supporting frame structure to be fixed on Foundation pillar projecting above
water surface of the river
In normal condition, Movable portion of the bridge is in Lowered position with filled water
tank and locked for Safety, thus Bridge is open to Road Traffic
When we want to lift bridge Up, We need to Unlock Safety Latch from Bridge, then drain
out the water from Water tank attached to Movable bridge, As Water is drained out,
Total weight movable part of bridge (with empty water tank) becomes lesser than total
weight of Counter weight, resulting Lifting up the Bridge,
Again to lower Bridge we need to pump water in water tank using small pump, Pumping
water in Tank attached to Movable bridge will increase total weight of Bridge and thus
bridge will start lowering down.
Refer attached sketch showing bridge in lowered and Lifted condition.

Estimated Cost of the Project (Approx.)

1) Material Cost for Frame Structure and Bridge Supporting frame,
2) Material Cost Counter weight
3) Painting of Structure,
4) Pump, water tank, Valve and Hose fitting Cost
5) Misc. Items like Track guide, latch, Pulley, Chain, Bumper etc
Total Material Cost
Misc. Cost, like transport Taxes etc.
Manufacturing Process Cost

Total Cost

will be approximate = Rs. 25,000/-

40Kg x 60Rs ~= 2500

15Kg x 60Rs ~= 1000
~= 1500
~= 2000
~= 2000
~ = 9000
~ = 1000
~ = 15000

PROJECT: VERTICAL LIFT BRIDGE

MECHANISM
1- Start Pump, Pump will fill-up water Tank.
2- As water tank is attached to movable
bridge, Once Total weight of Movable portion
Bridge + Filled water tank increases above
total weight of CWt., Bridge will start lowering
down.
3- At lowered position lock Bridge with safety
Latch to prevent accidentallift-up of bridge in
case of Tank is drained.
4- When we want to lift bridge up, Open
safety latch, then open valve near Pump to
drain out water from Tank, However NRV
valve connected to pump suction will keep
pump suction flooded required for Priming of
Pump.
5- As water tank is attached to movable
bridge is drained, Total weight of Movable
portion Bridge + empty water tank reduces
below total weight of CWt., Thus Bridge will
lift up

PROJECT: VERTICAL LIFT BRIDGE

VERTICAL LIFT BRIDGE
This project is a model and a simplified version of Kattwyk Bridge and has been made under the
constraints of space, time and resources available.
The Bridge mechanism has been divided in three sections. The central section lifts above, while the two
side parts remain intact with the Bridge supporting frame
The lift mechanism used for the bridge is based on the balance beam with pulley system involving four
pulleys and counter weight arrangements.
Movable part of bridge section is connected to Counter weight on each side using a wire rope String
passing over Pulley mounted above fixed structure.
Track guides wheels mounted on Movable section of Bridge restrict the motion of central section allowing
only the motion only in vertical direction to occur and provide the stability to the bridge structure.
The mechanism used to lift the central section by difference of weight is due to the constraint of not using
any electric motor or gears but using water for lifting the bridge. In real case situation, the power can be
given by electric motors and cables can be used.
SPECIAL FEATURE OF MODEL
- As the weight of Bridge is balanced by Counter weight, we need to Add / Drain some water in water
tank to have some difference in total weight balanced by Pulley fixed on Bridge Supporting frame
structure.
- Some weight difference as stated above is required to overcome frictional forces.
- We have considered following data for our calculations
Weight of Lift Bridge (with empty water Tank) = 12 Kg
Total weight of Counter weight = 12.50 Kg
When we fill 1.0 L of water in tank, Weight of Lift Bridge will be = 12. 1.0 = 13.0 Kg
Thus when Water Tank is empty Weight of Lift Bridge < Weight of Counter weight Resulting Bridge will
be UP
Similarly when Water Tank is Filled
Weight of Lift Bridge > Weight of Counter weight Resulting Bridge will be DOWN
Even the weight difference as mentioned is high, we will minimise weight difference using Pulley
with antifriction bearing to save power.
- Safety latch will be used to lock the bridge in Position Safety latch will be fixed on bridge support
structure.
- Rubber Bumper are placed below Lift structure and Counter weight to absorb any shocks during
lowering of Bridge / Counter weight.
SAFETY FEATURE OF MODEL
Rubber Bumpers are placed below Lift structure to absorb any shocks during lowering of Bridge.
-

Safety latch used to lock the bridge in Position

When Bridge is in lifted position, Counter weight plate will act as barricade on Fixed part of bridge to

prevent any Road traffic.

PROJECT: VERTICAL LIFT BRIDGE

ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPH OF PROJECT-1

ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPH OF PROJECT-2

PROJECT: VERTICAL LIFT BRIDGE

ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPH OF THE KATTWYK BRIDGE IN GERMANY