2015
California, USA

The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was constructed at the same time as the Golden Gate Bridge and opened for traffic in 1936. In October 17, 1989, an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale severely damaged the double decker truss structure east of Yerba Buena Island, knocking down a portion of the upper deck.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.
Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.
Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.
Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.
Construction of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S.

Project Requirements

The new structure of the bridge is designed to meet current seismic codes as well as other codes pertaining to roadway shoulders, lane widths, stopping sight distances and other factors to substantially improve public safety. The Skyway portion of the bridge connects the Oakland Touchdown structure to the Suspension Section just east of Yerba Buena Island. It is the longest component of the East span and where Sika products are currently being utilized by the joint venture partnership builder, KFM (Kiewit Pacific, FCI Constructors and Manson Construction Company).

The Skyway section of the new East span is the largest contract ever awarded by Caltrans at $1.04B. It consists of a westbound and eastbound deck over 1 mile (1.61 km) long. The two roadways each have five lanes of traffic, emergency shoulders and 15 feet (4.6 m) wide pedestrian/bike paths. There are 452 precast sections. Each segment was cast in Stockton, California (approximately 100 miles (161 km) form the project) then shipped down on barges to the site. Prior to shipping, the transverse cables were tensioned and the ducts grouted with SikaGrout®-300 PT.

Sika Solutions

More than 16’000 gallons (approx. 60’000 Liter ~120 tons) of Sikadur®-31 SBA were “smeared” to each side of each precast segment prior to final placement and tensioning. Sikadur®-31 SBA serves as a lubricant to allow for adjusting the placement of the segments during erection and as waterproofing for joints after placement of the segments and tensioning of the cables.

Over 200’000 bags of SikaGrout®-300 PT where supplied to fill the ducts containing the post-tensioned cables. The grout provides additional protection to the steel cables as well as enhanced bonding of the cables to the duct and precast concrete segment.

Products Used

Sikadur®-31 SBA
SikaGrout®-300 PT

Sikadur®-31 SBA Normal Set

  • Easy to apply, non-sag paste for vertical applications.
  • Convenient and easy to mix ratio. A:B=2:1 by volume.
  • Excellent adhesion to concrete, steel, timber and most construction materials.
  • Moisture tolerant before, during and after cure.
  • Supplied in 3 temperature governed grades to meet project requirements.

          Grade 5-15 (5 - 15 °C [41 - 59 °F])

              Grade 13-35 (13 - 35 °C [55 - 95 °F])

                Grade 27-46 (27 - 46 °C [81 - 115 °F])

      • Sikadur®-31 SBA Cold Weather is available for cold weather conditions [-6 to 7 °C (21 to 45 °F)].
      • Sikadur®-31 SBA Slow Set versions are available to meet assembly and strength gain requirements.
      • High-modulus, high-strength, structural adhesion.
      • Conformance to ASTM C881, Type VI requirements and ASBI guidelines.
      Sikadur®-31 SBA Normal Set

      Sikadur®-31 SBA Slow Set

      HIGH MODULUS AND HIGH STRENGTH, SOLVENT-FREE AND MOISTURE TOLERANT, STRUCTURAL EPOXY RESIN PASTE ADHESIVE
      • Easy to apply, non-sag paste for vertical applications.
      • Convenient and easy to mix ratio. A:B=2:1 by volume.
      • Excellent adhesion to concrete, steel, timber and most construction materials.
      • Moisture tolerant before, during and after cure.
      • Supplied in 2 temperature governed grades to meet project requirements.
        Grade 13-24 (+13 °C to +24 °C [55 °F - 75 °F])
        Grade 21-32 (+21 °C to +32 °C [70 °F - 90 °F])
      • Sikadur®-31 SBA Slow Set Cold Weather is available for cold weather conditions [-6 °C to +7 °C (21 to 45 °F)].
      • High-modulus, high-strength, structural adhesion.
      • Conformance to ASTM C881, Type VI requirements and ASBI guidelines.
      • Product qualified by The Road Authority (TRA).
      Sikadur®-31 SBA Slow Set

      Project Participants

      Project Owner
      CalTrans (California Department of Transportation)

      Contractor
      KFM (Kiewit Pacific, FCI Constructors and Manson Construction Company) – Joint Venture