Background to the design of the quay wall stabilisation works at Kingston Bridge, Glasgow

Kingston Bridge, which carries the M8 motorway in ten lanes over the River Clyde, is the busiest motorway bridge in the United Kingdom, taking in excess of 150,000 vehicles a day across the river (Figure 1). Major refurbishment is under way on the bridge, which was opened in 1970, following discovery that the north main piers are out of plumb by around 165 mm (Figure 2), the main span has flattened by around 300 mm and the quay wall in front of the north west pier foundation is bulging by up to 200 mm (Figures 2 and 3). Detailed investigations of the causes of these movements identified the need to undertake ground improvement work in the area beneath the north west pier foundation and behind the adjacent quay wall; and to provide additional lateral support to the full length of the north and south quay walls. A number of methods of improving the ground and providing lateral support were assessed, with the final choice being to employ jet grouting beneath the north west pier foundation and behind the adjacent quay wall and place a rock bund in the river over the full length of the north and south quay walls. The design approach and choice of construction techniques for the stabilisation works are described in detail in this paper. In the companion paper (Reference 7), the approach to the specification, planning and construction aspects of the work are described.

• 1 Introduction

• 2 Details and movements of the piers and quay walls prior to ground treatment works

• 3 Ground investigation

• 4 Analysis of existing condition of bridge pier foundations and quay walls

• 5 Selection and sequencing of the remedial measures

• 6 Discussion and conclusions

• References