Rehabilitation of the Elephant Heads Bridge with Preservation Best Practices Aiming to Revive Its Historical Significance

Bhattraradej Witchayangkoon; Pisit Thongjub; Kritsada Anantakarn; Yasser Arab; Ahmad Sanusi Hassan; Koltouch Anantakarn

:: International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies

http://TuEngr.com

ISSN 2228-9860
eISSN 1906-9642
CODEN: ITJEA8

FEATURE PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE

Vol.15(4) (2024)

Rehabilitation of the Elephant Heads Bridge with Preservation Best Practices Aiming to Revive Its Historical Significance

Bhattraradej Witchayangkoon (Department of Civil Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, Rangsit, THAILAND, and Thammasat University Research Unit in Climate Change and Sustainability, Department of Civil Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, THAILAND),
Pisit Thongjub (Department of Civil Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, Rangsit, THAILAND),
Kritsada Anantakarn (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai Campus, THAILAND),
Yasser Arab (Department of Architectural Engineering, Dhofar University, Salalah, SULTANATE of OMAN),
Ahmad Sanusi Hassan (School of Housing, Building & Planning, Universities Sains Malaysia, MALAYSIA),
Koltouch Anantakarn (Department of Civil Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, Rangsit, THAILAND).

Discipline: Civil & Architectural Engineering.
➤ FullText

doi: 10.14456/ITJEMAST.2024.22

Keywords: Heritage bridge; Bridge construction; Hua Chang Bridge; White elephant; Historical significance; Grouting cement; Preservation Best Practice (PBP) concept; Architectural significance; Cementitious grout; Strengthening the community; Enhancing social sustainability.

Abstract

Chaloemla 56 Bridge, popularly known as the Elephant Head Bridge, is a RC bridge that was constructed over a century ago in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. This historic bridge features a unique vertical curve. One of its distinctive features is the presence of four-column statues, each adorned with four white elephant heads on every side of the square column. These statues are positioned in pairs on both sides of the bridge. Initially accommodated two-way traffic with a total of six lanes, the bridge was later expanded to eight lanes after its reconstruction. This study focused on reviewing and understanding the construction and preservation techniques employed during the bridge's expansion to cater to the demands of modern heavy traffic. The construction contractor was entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the preservation of the four statues with white elephant heads, and their reinstatement was an integral part of the project. The rehabilitation process followed the principles of the Preservation Best Practice (PBP) concept, emphasizing the importance of maintaining historical elements while incorporating modern infrastructure requirements.

Paper ID: 15A4C

Cite this article:

Witchayangkoon, B., Thongjub, P., Anantakarn, K., Arab, Y., Hassan, A.S., and Anantakarn, K. (2024). Rehabilitation of the Elephant Heads Bridge with Preservation Best Practices Aiming to Revive Its Historical Significance. International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies, 15(4), 15A4C, 1-13. http://doi.org/10.14456/ITJEMAST.2024.22

References

Bowman, M. D., & Moran, L. M. (2015). Bridge preservation treatments and best practices. Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2015/22. Purdue University. DOI: 10.5703/1288284316007
Heritage Strategies, LLC. (2024). Historic Preservation Design Guidelines. Commissioned by Wellesley Historic District Commission, Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts. https://wellesleyma.gov/980/Historic-Preservation-Design-Guidelines
HS. (2024). Best Practices in Preservation. Historic Seattle. https://historicseattle.org/advocacy/best-practices
Ismail, N. H., Surat, M., and Yunus, S. K. (2021). Evolution of Architectural Heritage through Typology of Traditional Houses in Negeri Sembilan. International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies, 12(12), 12A12U, 1-9. http://doi.org/10.14456/ITJEMAST.2021.252
Jeon, C. M., Amekudzi, A. (2005). Addressing Sustainability in Transportation Systems: Definitions, Indicators, and Metrics. Journal of Infrastructure Systems, 11, 31-50, DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)1076-0342(2005)11:1(31)
Kelley, R. (2016). A Process for Systematic Review of Bridge Deterioration Rates. https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Programs/Bridges-and-Structures/Mgmt-and-Scoping/Process-Systematic-Review-Bridge-Deterioration-Rates.pdf
LE. (2024). Preserving Heritage - Strategies for Incorporating Historic Buildings into Development Projects. Landmark Estates.
Leshko, B. J., & Tunstall, S. E. (2004). Eklutna River Bridge Rehabilitation: Preserving the Historic Old Glenn Highway Crossing. In Structures 2004: Building on the Past, Securing the Future (pp. 1-10).
MnDOT. (2024). Historic Bridges: Rehabilitation projects. Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://www.dot.state.mn.us/historicbridges/rehabilitation.html
NPS. (2024). The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties: Rehabilitation as a Treatment and Standards for Rehabilitation. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/treatment-standards-rehabilitation.htm
Oknation. (2007). Elephant Head Bridge: A Bridge Across Time. https://www.oknation.net/post/detail/634d1681b723f0d6cfe621e3
PBS. (2023). Do you know what 'White Elephants' mean to Thailand?. Thai PBS World, Thail Public Broadcasting System. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lh34_2iFVY
Puls, E. M. (2013). A Framework for Historic Bridge Preservation. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. https://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/151260
Ruiz, R., Moyano, A., Romero de ?vila, V., Coronado, J. M., & Rodr?guez, J. (2018). Heritage preservation training in civil engineering education: Modern roads restoration projects. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 144(4), 05018008.
Sika. (2024). In-Pakt Construction. Sika Canada. http://can.sika.com/en/construction/concrete-repair-protection/grouting/cementitious-grout/in-pakt-construction.html
Sirimontree, S., Chompooming, K., Witchayangkoon, B., Prasankleaw, W. (2016). Measurement of Tendon Natural Frequency and Impact on Tendon Forces of Continuous Segmental Prestressed Concrete Bridge. 16th International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (ICCCBE2016), Osaka, Japan. http://www.see.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp/seeit/icccbe2016/Proceedings/Full_Papers/009-340.pdf
SocialLife. (2021). Social Sustainability. SocialLife Co.
Tipagornwong, C., Punthutaecha, K., Phutantikul, P., Thongprapha, S., Chompooming, K. (2022). Damage Inspection, Structural Evaluation and Rehabilitation of a Balanced Cantilever Bridge with Center Hinges. In: Akhnoukh, A., et al. Advances in Road Infrastructure and Mobility. IRF 2021. Sustainable Civil Infrastructures. Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-79801-7_13
US-DoT. (2009). Focus: Bridge Preservation the Time is Now. Focus: Accelerating Infrastructure Innovations. United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/74472/dot_74472_DS1.pdf
WACOSS. (2020). Social Sustainability. Western Australia Council of Social Services.
Walker, C. E. (2009). Preserving Historic Bridges: Strategies to Overcome Obsolescence. In Structures Congress 2009, 1-10. DOI: 10.1061/41031(341)36
WHS. (2024). Renovate Your Historical Building Using Preservation Best Practice. Wisconsin Historical Society. http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS4194
Wikipedia. (2024a). Bridge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge
Wikipedia. (2024b). Sustainable Transport. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_transport
Witchayangkoon, B., Nuaklong, P., Anantakarn, K., Dang, C.N. and Anantakarn, K., Arab, Y., Hassan, A.S. (2024). Rehabilitation of Historic Elephant Head Bridge in Bangkok with Preservation Best Practice.,

Other issues:
Vol.15(3)(2024)
Vol.15(2)(2024)
Archives

Call-for-Papers

Call-for-Scientific Papers
Call-for-Research Papers: ITJEMAST invites you to submit high quality papers for full peer-review and possible publication in areas pertaining engineering, science, management and technology, especially interdisciplinary/cross-disciplinary/multidisciplinary subjects.

To publish your work in the next available issue, your manuscripts together with copyright transfer document signed by all authors can be submitted via email to Editor @ TuEngr.com (no space between). (please see all detail from Instructions for Authors)

Publication and peer-reviewed process:
After the peer-review process (4-10 weeks), articles will be on-line published in the available next issue. However, the International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies cannot guarantee the exact publication time as the process may take longer time, subject to peer-review approval and adjustment of the submitted articles.