Samaras Structural Engineers Secures WA Rail Bridges Contract

03 October 2007

Rail bridge girders made from XLERPLATE® steel in Samaras Structural Engineers' workshop will form part of the railway line between Cloud Break Mine and Port Hedland

Samaras Structural Engineers is fabricating and delivering eight surface treated rail bridges for the Fortescue Metals Group's Cloud Break Mine in Western Australia.

The bridges will form part of the 300 kilometre railway line between Cloud Break Mine and Port Hedland in the Pilbara region.

Samaras Structural Engineers is using around 1,900 tonnes of steel to fabricate the bridges. Approximately 1,400 tonnes of Grade 300 and 350 XLERPLATE® steel will be used to fabricate girders and pressed edge troughs.

"The largest rail bridge sections are two 36 metre long, 2.8 metre high girders, each weighing 52 tonnes," Commercial Manager Bill Rutai said."We're also fabricating 76, 25.6 metre long, 2.8 metre high girders, each weighing 13.2 tonnes."

Samaras Structural Engineers delivered the first fabricated bridge sections to site in northwest Western Australia in February 2007, and managed to overcome the logistical impact of Cyclone George when it struck the Pilbara region in March.

"Our planning had to be exceptionally meticulous to ensure efficient, cost effective fabrication within an extremely tight seven month construction timeframe," Mr Rutai said. "We've developed innovative welding techniques to ensure efficient delivery of the sections, and maintained our dedication to stringent quality assurance and design specification testing throughout the project."

He said safe handling and delivery methods also played an important role in the project.

"This project consists of larger than normal sized girders, for which we have specifically produced and implemented systematic safe handling and delivery methods, and trained our personnel to ensure successful implementation of the methods," Mr Rutai said.

After overcoming setbacks imposed by the impact of Cyclone George, the final and largest fabricated sections will be delivered on site toward the end of the year, to a location between Newman and Port Hedland, using a convoy of trucks and escorts.