Sustainable Bridge Design

Gibson Holemba
Master of Engineering Student (1)
Laboratory of Bridge and Structural Design Engineering
Division of Engineering and Policy for Sustainable Environment
Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University
Content

• What is Sustainable Bridge Design?

• Sustainable Bridge Design: SDG Framework
• Sustainable Bridge Design: The Difference
• Sustainable Bridge Design: Indicators
• Sustainable Bridge Design: Externalities
• Sustainability Bridge Design: Examples
• Conclusion

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What is Sustainable Bridge Design?

Sustainable Bridge Design consist of three different words.

According Microsoft Encarta Dictionary (2007),
Sustainable - to be able to be maintained or maintaining
ecological balance.

Bridge - is a structure allowing passage over an

obstacle such as a river, road or valley for
vehicle and people to cross over it.

Design - is to make a detailed plan of the form or

structure of something, emphasizing features
such as its appearance, convenience, and
efficient functioning.

Sustainable Bridge Design:

is the detailed plan of a bridge maintaining ecological
balance and allowing passage for people and vehicular
traffic over any natural or physical obstacle.

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 Sustainable Bridge Design: SDG Framework

Goal 9:
Industry, Innovation
& Infrastructure

Goal 13: Sustainable Goal 11:

Bridge Sustainable Cities
Climate Action Design & Communities

Goal 12:
Responsible Consumption
& Production

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 Sustainable Bridge Design: The Difference

A) Conventional Design Factors B) Sustainable Design Factors

• Safety • Ecological factors
• Aesthetics • Eco-friendly
• Durability • Recycled Materials
• Public and Community
Participation
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Sustainable Bridge Design: Indicators

Following are the Sustainable Development

Indicators of Sustainable Bridge Design:
1. Reduction of Virgin Material Use
2. Optimization of Waste Stream
3. Reduction of Energy Consumption
4. Reduction of CO2 emissions
5. Improvement of Hydrological Regime
Characteristics and Aquatic Life
6. Maintenance of Biodiversity
7. Engage Community Values and Sense of Place
8. Improved Personal, Public and Animal Safety
9. Improved Access and Mobility
10. Improvement of Local Economy
11. Improved Life-cycle Efficiency
12. Promotion of Innovation and Technology
World’s First Glass Bridge in China

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Sustainable Bridge Design: Externalities

What are some of the key Externalities in Sustainable Bridge

Design?
1. Unplanned Physical Development at the bridge site
during in-service stage,
2. Exclusion of Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems,
3. Non-involvement of Public and Local Community
Participation,
4. Bridge construction Traffic Delay or Diversion,
5. Noise Pollution,
6. Construction Waste Disposal and
7. Fossil Fuel Consumption during construction,
maintenance and deconstruction stage.

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Sustainable Bridge Design: Examples

Wildlife Passage Structure on Highway 97 in Central Oregon, USA. Allow Mule- Second Gateway Bridge over Brisbane River in Australia. 300-year
deer herd to cross safely from both sides of the forest. Wildlife preservation. design service life of the bridge – 30% fly ash, 21% blast furnace
slag, Cathodic corrosion protection. Reduction in CO2 emission

Wildlife safe crossing over East Coast Expressway in Malaysia. Animal crossings were sanctioned by government and constructed after a pregnant tiger was
killed with two unborn cubs.
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Conclusion

• Bridge Designs today must take a holistic approach by

factoring Environmental, Social and Economic Factors
during the Planning and Design Stage to Construction
and In-service Stage until the decommission of the
structure.

• Bridge Design methods must shift from traditional

bridge design to Sustainable Bridge Design Approach
giving more emphasis on Ecological Balance.

• Collaboration between Civil Engineers utilizing Multi-

disciplinary and Inter-disciplinary practices must be
encouraged by all stakeholders during the initial
planning and design stage.

• Environment-friendly Bridge Designs must be

enforced in all stages of the structure.

• Such engineering innovation will contribute towards

Sustainable Development enhancing lives of people,
providing sustainable economy while maintaining a
balanced environment for present and future
generations.

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References

1. Broek vdM, 2012, Design of Sustainable Bridges:

Manual for Civil Engineers, Delft University of
Technology, Delft, Netherlands.
2. Connall J, M Berndt, 2010, Sustainable Bridges: 300-
year Design Life of Second Gateway Bridge, Maunsell
Australia Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia.
3. Karas S, Bohatkiewicz J, 2016, Sustainable Bridge
Design, Lublin University of Technology, Lublin,
Poland.
4. Louis R, 2010, Sustainable Bridges: Green Links to the
Future, Ohio State University, Ohio, USA.
5. Transportation Association of Canada, 2015, Primer on
Sustainability Considerations for Bridges Guide,
Ottawa, Canada.
6. UNDP, United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals, 2015.
7. www.google.co.jp/search?q=fish+waterways
8. www.google.co.jp/search?q=wildlife+conservation+hig
hways

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Thank you all for your Time and Kind Attention

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