Shange Bridge Forensic Structural Engineering Investigation (Democratic Republic of Congo) - Singular Structures

On Friday September 29th, 2023 UNOPS DRC (PICAGL Project Team Member) was informed that the Pier 5 of the “Dalots d’Équilibre” Structure located at approximately at PK 16+170 of the road Biriba Rundani Kimuka Ndunda in Uvira Territory in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was showing significant signs of distress.

The observed failure mechanism is of rigid nature (two (2) separate pier segments with well-defined and complementing failure surface), mechanism that is expected for unreinforced masonry structures (non-ductile behavior) subjected to tensile stress.

During the implementation stage of the Shange Bridge at PK 16+200 (Right Bank Structure), the mainstream of the river was constantly changing location across the different meanders located in the axe of the future road connection. The Shange River width is approx. 41m wide, and the river flow and potential scour effect has lead the investigation.