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Concrete Footbridges
Introduction
Footbridges offer design freedom and opportunity
for innovation for architects and engineers as they
typically have light load-bearing requirements and
are small in scale.
A footbridge can be designed with in-situ or precast concrete and
can utilise lightweight concrete and ultra high strength concrete.
Concrete has a wide range of visual finishes and as a material is uniquely
mouldable, being able to deliver curved and elegant profiles. In addition
concrete can produce structures that are robust, cost-effective, easily
maintained and that contribute to a sustainable built environment.
Front cover: The Juliana Bridge is situated in a wide bend of the river at Zaan in
the Netherlands. No set of piers is equal, with their width increasing incrementally
towards the deck pivot. The pier underneath the deck pivot is the highest deepest
and widest of them all and the entire moving mechanism is hidden inside this pier.
Photo courtesy of Royal Haskoning
This page: This 700m long multi-span stress ribbon footbridge was intended to
provide an attractive and practical connection between two seaside towns. The
deck was designed with 4m long precast deck units post-tensioned together,
increasing the stiffness of the structure and intended to provide durability in the
harsh marine environment. Image and design courtesy of Flint & Neill.
Concrete Footbridges
Design
Aesthetics and practicability are important considerations when designing concrete footbridges. However,
because of their potential slenderness, designers must be aware of issues such as wind, vibration and
the effect of collision loads. In particular, if long slender spans are used a balance between the number of
supports and protection against impact needs to be achieved.
Pedestrian footbridges over busy roads or other obstacles give a
safe passage for various types of user. Consideration must also be
given to the needs of disabled users, pushchairs or cyclists, and
parapet requirements have a large influence on safety, function and
appearance. Footbridges which also form part of bridleways have special
requirements, specified by the British Horse Society [1].
These considerations are explored in this section as well as the
engineering and case study sections that follow.
Appearance
Compared with most types of bridge, footbridges offer greater flexibility for
layout and form. Since footbridges are used at a slow pace by pedestrians,
quality of detail and surface texture are important. In some cases,
footbridges are a visual improvement on motorways or other locations
where they contrast with adjacent low-key structures or surroundings.
Layout and headroom
Footbridges and approach ramps should be on the desired line so that
detours and short-cuts are discouraged. To reduce bridge length, square
spans are generally preferred: these also offer the possibility of limiting
intermediate supports near to running traffic. Visibility for drivers passing
under the bridge is then improved and the risk of column impact is reduced.
To give access to all types of user, ramps are normally needed. The
preferred maximum ramp gradient is 1 in 20, but space limitations
may require steeper ramps, 1 in 12 being the absolute limit. Horizontal
landings, 2m long, should be provided for every 3.5m increase in
elevation. Stairs may provide alternative access. Riser heights are
typically from 125mm to 150mm maximum, with a maximum of 20 steps
between landings, which should be at least 2m wide, or 12 steps if there
is no change in direction at the lower landing.
Lighting
Lighting is needed only in urban areas or where lighting is already present.
Existing road lighting is often sufficient, except for covered bridges. It should
be carefully integrated into the structure using recessed units, if possible.
Construction
The location of the structure and potential disruption to traffic often
determine the method of construction. Supports should be built as far
from the carriageway as possible, and precast deck units that can be
lifted into place during a short traffic closure are frequently the preferred
method of construction.
Kingsgate Bridge, Durham. This Grade I listed bridge was designed by Sir Ove Arup
himself. It was constructed over the river banks, then pivoted horizontally and
connected by a combined shear pin and expansion coupler at mid-span.
Kent Messenger Bridge, River Medway, Maidstone. Winner of a 2002 RIBA Award, the bridge is a cranked stressed ribbon bridge. Architect: Studio Bednarski. Engineer: Strasky Husty
& Partners with Flint & Neill. Photo courtesy of Flint & Neill.
Concrete Footbridges
Engineering
Concrete can be used to deliver the design ambitions of the project and meet the engineering constraints of
loading, vibration and durability.
The use of new materials such as ultra high-strength fibre-reinforced concrete and innovative design such as
ribbon bridges can be used to meet the demand for cost-effective, sustainable and aesthetic designs. Conventional
in-situ and precast concrete with appropriate formwork can also achieve a flexibility of shape and finish.
Peace Footbridge, South Korea. Ultra high strength concrete (Ductal) is used for this footbridge. It is made up of six precast elements, each of 20m in length and 1.3m thick. This
supports a deck which is only 30mm thick. Photo courtesy of Lafarge.
Concrete Footbridges
Parapets
Detailing
9000
27500
1250
25250
+1.041
1:20
166
51
R=250000
4600
4600
6g
4600
1:50
1:50
10500
273
R=250000
4600
4600
2850
132511751175
12500
233
106
1:2
2475
13825
12500
15000
4600
1200
4150
15000
5360
10500
300
2600
1430
3200
300
Concrete Footbridges
Case studies
The case study examples contained in this publication are explored in more detail on the CBDG website,
www.cbdg.org.uk. The website contains more projects than we have been able to feature here and will
be updated with case studies from CBDG members as well as those submitted by visitors to the website.
2500
400
400
40 min surfacing
including approved
waterproofing system
1400
350
700
1200
Lighting
feature
CLRamp
Photo
courtesy of CITOP (Spain)
Footway
CL
FGL
25000
25000
6450 minimum
headroom
15350
15350
Pedestrian parapet
15350
OGB safety
fence
15350
15350
Lighting
column
Brick facing
Mass concrete
Brick facing
Elevation
Concrete Footbridges
Summary
This publication, the range of examples shown and the online
resources at www.cbdg.co.uk are intended to provide confidence to the
engineer or architect and demonstrate the ability of concrete to create
footbridges that perform on the basis of appearance, contribution to
the built environment and cost.
References
and further reading
1.
Standards and dimensions on Bridleways and Byways. British Horse Society, Kenilworth, 2010
2.
TD 27/05: Cross-sections and headrooms, Design manual for roads and bridge, Volume 6,
Section1, Part 2 . HMSO, 2005
3.
BD 29/04: Design criteria for footbridges. Design manual for roads and bridge, Volume 2,
Section 2, Part 8. HMSO, 2004
4.
5.
National Annex to Eurocode 1. BS EN 1991-2:2003 Actions on structures.Traffic loads on bridges. BSI, 2008
6.
7.
BS EN 1991-1-7:2006. Eurocode 1. Actions on structures. General actions. Accidental actions. BSI, 2006
8.
9.
BS EN 1317-1:2010. Road restraint systems. Terminology and general criteria for test methods. BSI, 2010
10. BS 7818:1995. Specification for pedestrian restraint systems in metal. BSI, 1995
11. Bridge Detailing Guide. CIRIA, 2001
BA 41/98: The design and appearance of bridges, Design manual for roads and bridges. Volume 1
Section 3 Part 11. HMSO, 1998
TD 9/93: Highway link design. Design manual for roads and bridges -Volume 6 Section 1. Part 1 TD
9/93 inc. Amendment No 1. February 2002. HMSO, 1993
The appearance of bridges and other highway structures. HMSO, 1996
TILLER, R. Concrete footbridges. Cement & Concrete Association, 1973
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