Bridge uplifting for bearing replacement

Bearings have a finite service life — when they age or fail, the deck must be lifted in a controlled manner so they can be replaced. EKKAF performs bridge uplifting works with specialised hydraulic equipment.

The method

Uplifting is performed with arrays of high-capacity hydraulic jacks connected to a central synchronisation unit that ensures uniform lifting of all support points with millimetre accuracy. This avoids parasitic stresses in the structure, deck cracking and damage to joints and utilities. The few millimetres of lift typically required often allow traffic to be maintained at reduced load during the works.

Work stages

1. Inspection and survey: bearing condition, available jacking space, loads per support.
2. Uplifting design: jack positions, lifting limits, verification of the structure in temporary stages.
3. System installation and trial loading.
4. Synchronised uplifting, removal of old bearings, preparation of seats.
5. Installation of new bearings, controlled lowering and handover protocol.

Why EKKAF

EKKAF combines its post-tensioning and heavy hydraulics expertise with its exclusive AGOM partnership for bearings, offering single-source responsibility for design, equipment and the new product. It has performed uplifting and bearing replacement works on road and railway bridges throughout Greece.