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The completed arch across the Chenab gorge.
RailwaysBridges

Chenab Bridge, USBRL

The world's highest railway arch bridge, on the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link.

Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir Design review

Photo: Konkan Railway Corporation Limited · GODL-India

Prior-role experience. The projects and credentials presented represent the professional experience of Devstrat's leadership in previous roles. They are not represented as projects executed by Devstrat Private Limited.

Overview

The Chenab Bridge carries the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link across the Chenab gorge in Reasi district. Its steel arch spans 467 m, and the deck stands about 359 m above the river.

Prof. (Dr.) H. R. Yadav carried out design review in a prior role on the USBRL project.

Engineering challenges

  • Seismic Zone V; earthquakes up to magnitude 8
  • Wind up to 266 km/h, verified by wind-tunnel testing
  • Blast loading and temperatures down to −20 °C

Photo gallery

The completed arch across the Chenab gorge.
The completed arch across the Chenab gorge.Photo: Konkan Railway Corporation Limited · GODL-India · Wikimedia Commons
The arch under construction in 2017.
The arch under construction in 2017.Photo: Ojhayogesh · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Construction work on the bridge's steel members.
Construction work on the bridge's steel members.Photo: Ojhayogesh · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kauri-side piers and cable crane during construction, 2013.
Kauri-side piers and cable crane during construction, 2013.Photo: bhisham pratap padha from Jammu, India · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photos are openly licensed images from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licence shown with each photo. They are not Devstrat's own photographs. All photo credits

Technical case study

Elevation · schematic, not to scaleChenab Bridge elevation: 530 m approach viaduct and 785 m arch bridge, 467 m arch span, deck about 359 m above the river bed
1,315 mTotal length530 m approach viaduct + 785 m arch bridge
467 mArch spanSteel arch with truss structures, founded on rock
~359 mHeightDeck above the Chenab river bed
17SpansConcrete inlet piers and steel truss piers
~27,000 tStructural steelLargely bolted connections
120 yrsDesign lifeIS, IRS, IRC, BS and UIC standards
ClientKonkan Railway Corporation, for Northern Railway
Lead designerWSP (Finland); arch with Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner
ContractorAfcons Infrastructure (design & build)

Technical data: WSP project information and published USBRL design criteria.

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