A successfully lead technical proposal for the New Zealand Transport Agency culminated in leading the structural design and the multidisciplinary team re-assessing of the scheme assessment report options providing a greater level of confidence of structural form. This involved the development of solutions focused on the stakeholders preferred 250m long, insitu curved balanced box structure and the more cost competitive curved steel plate girder composite solution introducing a high level of detail and innovation development.
A key challenge in developing a solution was the effect that high levels of probable seismicity on both the super and sub-structres. The design addressed large torsional effects induced in the deck over the piers due to the required carriageway alignment, in addition to the challenge of the relative stiffness of both the abutments and piers under both service and seismic loads.
The solution has reduced the risk associated with the interaction with the heritage listed Kawarau Falls dam which currently accommodates SH6.