Bang Pa-In – Nakhon Ratchasima Intercity Motorway, Thailand
A New Fast-Track Connecting Central to Eastern Thailand
The construction of the Bang Pa-In – Nakhon Ratchasima Motorway is considered one of Thailand’s major infrastructure projects, serving as a new fast-track link between the central and eastern regions of the country.
The main purpose of this project is to stimulate economic growth. Once completed, it will connect Thailand’s major urban centers within the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The Intercity Motorway consists of two sections:
- A six-lane, 103-kilometer section from Bang Pa-In to Pak Chong.
- A four-lane, 93-kilometer section from Pak Chong to Nakhon Ratchasima.
Given the challenging four-year construction timeline, the project was divided into approximately 40 contracts to accelerate progress. Additionally, to minimize potential disruptions to local residents, numerous underpasses, overpasses, and elevated structures (such as large viaducts) were incorporated into the design.
Optimizing Infrastructure with Dextra’s Rebar Couplers
For the motorway’s elevated structures, contractors from various project packages opted for Dextra’s full-performance Bartec rebar couplers (standard/position) to save both time and costs in the mechanical connection of 20mm to 32mm diameter reinforcement bars.
Thanks to Bartec’s unique splicing system, all applications can be fulfilled using a single model of rebar coupler, significantly reducing inventory management complexity.
Additionally, Dextra’s Sonitec sonic tubes were installed for crosshole sonic logging (CSL) tests in the foundations of the Bang Pa-In – Nakhon Ratchasima Intercity Motorway structures.
Dextra’s Post-Tensioning Bars for Elevated Structures
Beyond splicing and CSL testing solutions, smooth and fully-threaded post-tensioning (PT) bars were also used for both temporary (lifting and launching girder assembly) and permanent applications in bridge segments.
As of June 2018, approximately 28,000 sets of PT bars had been delivered.
For more information about Dextra’s solutions in Thailand, please contact our Bangkok office.
