Loose ballast or heavy concrete for bridge constructions

High density concrete with MagnaDense

LKAB Minerals has supplied high density MagnaDense for different bridge constructions around Europe. Each of these projects unique in their design and the circumstances for placement but all in need of extra weight.

Heavy concrete for balanced bridges

The cable-stayed Samuel Beckett bridge in Dublin has a special design with heavy concrete in both pivot and bridge deck to maintain the right balance. For boats to pass, the bridge swivels open balancing on a pivot which is not situated in the middle. Therefore, the bridge needs extra weight on the short end of the construction to keep the balance perfect. In this case, the best solution for extra weight in the complete design was MagnaDense heavy concrete, as it gives more weight and requires less volume than ordinary concrete.

Benefits for using MagnaDense in bridges

Every bridge design will require different materials and techniques. However, when a design asks for a lot of weight but has limited dimension to fulfill this with ordinary materials, MagnaDense might offer the solution because it:

• Provides more weight with less volume
• Is available world-wide
• Can be used to make a concrete counterweight
• Does not react with water

Loose aggregate ballast for bridges

Depending on the bridge design, MagnaDense can also be used as loose heavy aggregate for:

1. Foundations for anchored bridges
2. Caissons

With a density of up to 5.1 t/m3, MagnaDense often provides the right weight and volume when limited space is available.

Bridge projects worldwide

LKAB Minerals supplied the two largest Danish bridge projects ever done with heavy loose ballast material to support the bridge’s stability. However, the use of the heavy aggregate for these two projects was different for each bridge.

1. For the Great Belt bridge, the foundations that anchored the bridges needed a lot of weight to remain stable.
2. During the construction of the Öresund bridge, the caissons that support the bridge deck were filled with LKAB Minerals’ heavy natural minerals.

A detailed case study of both of the above projects is available upon request via our sales experts which can be contacted through the contact box on this page.

Being part of the LKAB group with owned mines in Northern Sweden, we can promise you a secure supply of standardized heavy aggregate products.
Wherever the bridge location, MagnaDense for heavy concrete or as loose ballast can always be supplied with direct shipments, by rail or truck from our ports or strategic stock locations. LKAB Minerals has sales locations worldwide and an expert sales manager is only a phone call or an email away to help you select the right mix of heavy aggregates for your next bridge project.