The InQuik modular concrete bridge has won an Award for Excellence in the Technology and Innovation category of the NSW Concrete Industry Awards, presented at the Kirribilli Club in Milson’s Pt, Sydney on 19 July 2017.
Established in 1971, the Awards for Excellence in Concrete recognise and publicise the many significant contributions to excellence in concrete design, construction and materials in Australia. The Technology & Innovation category includes significant contributions to the understanding or use of concrete as evidenced by research, technical publications, patent applications, new products or pieces of equipment, new techniques, design innovations, or educational activity. The InQuik project was titled ‘The InQuik Modular Concrete Bridging System’, and was jointly submitted by InQuik Pty Ltd and Lifting Point Pre-Form Pty Ltd. The inventor of the InQuik system, Bruce Mullaney, accepted the award with InQuik’s National Sales Manager, Robert Lindley.
The Managing Director of InQuik, Logan Mullaney, said the national recognition was a humbling experience. “Receiving an award is a good acknowledgement of what we’ve done,” he said.
InQuik was founded by builder, farmer and inventor Bruce Mullaney to bring his bridge inventions to world.
Bruce was developing an innovative method to construct concrete slabs by connecting the steel reinforcing bar to the formwork, when he then realised that the same system could be used to make bridges. He envisaged a bridge construction method where the reinforcing and formwork were assembled together in a factory, then the lightweight panels could be easily transported and placed on-site before the concrete is poured. This method would save huge amounts of on-site work, require no external supports, and give the highest quality concrete bridge possible, as the whole bridge deck would be cast as a single concrete mass (whereas precast decks are separate modules which need to be stuck together).
Armed with a bright idea and no small amount of determination, Bruce patented his invention and put in place the partners and people needed to make his vision a reality. He established relationships the Australia-based global engineering firm SMEC to undertake the engineering design work, and the Australian Reinforcing Company (ARC) to provide support and manufacturing expertise to make the product. Together, these companies are developing and delivering the next generation in global bridge construction technology.
InQuik supply prefabricated components comprising reinforcement steel and formwork, but no concrete. The components are a fraction of the weight of a similar-sized precast concrete panel, and are simply placed on-site and filled with concrete.
InQuik currently offer current spans of 6m, 9m, 12m, 14m, 16m and 18m (12m standard), and have the ability to do multiple spans for longer structures. InQuik’s product range also includes abutments, wing walls, blade piers and headstocks, and is certified to AS5100 regulations and up to SM1600 load rating.
