Bridging Sarawak’s Supply Chains
Pylons on the western banks of the Batang Lupar River to the southeast of Kuching. Photo Copyright: Doka
Conceptualised to enhance logistical connectivity for Malaysia’s agricultural communities, Doka Malaysia’s stayed-cable bridge in northern Borneo will provide valuable access for farmers and traders while supporting the country’s food security program.
Located on the northeastern side of Borneo, Malaysia’s largest region of Sarawak, renowned for its biodiversity, karst and national parks, is in transformation. As part of the government’s initiatives to improve productivity and strengthen supply chains, it is actively pursuing the industrialisation of its agricultural sector, thereby supporting farmers and the region’s rural communities.
As part of this strategy, the region also requires infrastructure and, with it, the development of bridges and highways to traverse its numerous rivers, such as the Batang Lupar, which separates Simanggang, the capital of Sri Aman, from its neighbouring agricultural communities of Jalan Utama Kedua and Jalan Pasisir. Working with main contractor, Naim Gamuda (NAGA) JV Sdn Bhd, Doka Malaysia was brought in to provide a flexible formwork solution for the stayed-cable Batang Lupar Bridge No. 2, in particular to cater to the unusual shape of the pylons. Initially awarded in 2019, the bridge was placed on a one-year hiatus during the pandemic, meaning Doka’s solution also needed to play catch up without sacrificing safety or increasing cost.
In terms of approach, Doka’s formwork solution will need to deliver four 145.5 metre-high slopping pylons with two crossbeams at 16.87 and 94.15 metres, respectively, and a two-sided cast in-situ deck slab at 20.87 metres in height. Using an Automatic Climbing Formwork SKE 100 plus for the casting work, Load-bearing Tower d3, Load-bearing Tower Staxo 40 and a Ringlock Shoring System were used to cast the crossbeams and deck slab. Ringlock was also used to temporarily access the Automatic Climbing Formwork SKE 100 plus platform at height. Based on the project’s remote location, the combination of Load-bearing Tower d3, Load-bearing Tower Staxo 40 and Ringlock meant a lower investment and transportation cost for the client, while Ringlock’s multifunctional features enabled its dual purpose use as both shoring and access scaffolding.
Arguably, the most essential feature of the project was the Automatic Climbing Formwork SKE 100 plus system’s flexibility in shaping the pylons, which gently taper until 94.15 metres. As a result, the craneless system, which also enabled the client to temporarily store materials on it to increase site efficiency, the project timeframe was reduced by two months, with the contractor optimistic that more time can be saved with an additional Automatic Climbing Formwork SKE 100 plus system commissioned for the remaining pylons on the other side of the river.
Speaking on behalf of the main contractor, Project Manager Yii Hing commented, “Doka’s reputation for delivering fast and efficient formwork solutions is well known in the region, and its work on the Batang Lupar Bridge No. 2 has been no exception. From the physical products and systems to the engineering and safety support on site, the project has progressed ahead of schedule with complete consideration of our assigned budgets.”
Having started almost five years ago, Doka’s hands-on training, engineering expertise and efficiency, combined with its high-performing products and systems, will mean the Batang Lupar Bridge No. 2 will likely be delivered within a year and start supporting Sarawak’s agricultural communities effective immediately.
