Candaba 3rd Viaduct - Design services

Leighton Asia was selected to design and construct the third bridge of the Candaba Viaduct in the north of Manila, Philippines.

Leighton Asia asked EIC Activities to lead the detailed design services for the project. The scope of work covered an independent 5.3km bridge between the existing northbound and southbound lanes of the viaduct. EIC also delivered permanent and temporary works designs for the project.

Working together

The project involved several key partners. NLEX Corporation was the client and the project manager, Leighton Asia served as the contractor, while EIC Activities was the lead consultant handling all bridge and geotechnical work. Local partner PKII was responsible for civil and electrical engineering, and OneDCS provided services in BIM and drafting for EIC Activities.

The 5.3km, 3-lane infill viaduct, consisting of 260 spans, is located in the highest seismic zone of the Philippines, and is designed for a net 0.6g force. The 10 span modules are made fully integral, resulting in minimal maintenance and the use of only 40 elastomeric bearings on the entire bridge. The project also includes a new pedestrian walkway bridge across the Pampanga River.

Innovative crane solution

EIC and Leighton Asia devised a solution involving cranes on deck due to the constraint of zero disruption to the existing tollway and the long lead time for a launch gantry. The girder has a full-depth deck incorporated, with a 900mm stitch pour and no onsite formwork for the deck.

The 64T double Tee girders are made of reinforced concrete, not stressed, to simplify production as there are no pretension stress beds large enough in the market. The girder design is governed by the 120T crane load. The client also required a relocatable precast barrier designed for a 500kN impact load.

EIC Activities also designed the 180m temporary crane and access jetty across the Pampanga River.