Collaborative Approach to Create New Bridge – Westons Farm Cycle Bridge
/ Martin Richardson / CD368, CD368, Composites UK, CUR96, Cycleway, Footbridge, Footbridge, FRP Composites, Pedestrian, Uncategorized
Working together with our sister company Concrete Repairs Limited, and our various other supply chain partners, a new 12.5m by 3.0m wide bridge has been installed. Initially Lifespan Structures were originally commissioned to produce an outline design to allow the Client to carry out the necessary consultation with the relevant statutory bodies, and subsequently develop this to a detailed design ready for the construction phase. The Client’s framework contractor employed Concrete Repairs Ltd to carry out the installation of the new bridge, including new foundations, lifting operations and attachment of parapet.
Case Study - Albany Park Footbridges
/ Martin Richardson / CD368, CUR96, Cycleway, Footbridge, Footbridge, FRP Composites, Lightweight, Lightweight, Timber Footbridge
DESCRIPTION
The Client had already purchased 4 moulded FRP composite footbridges from Lifespan Structures since 2018 recognising that for a similar purchase price to a steel bridge the Lifespan bridge significantly reduces installation costs and future maintenance costs. For Albany Park Lifespan designed and delivered 2No. bridges each 12m long. One bridge was a pedestrian bridge 2m wide and the other one was for pedestrians and service vehicles 2.5m wide. Each bridge had galvanised steel, powder coated bespoke parapets to the Client’s design.
New Botany Footbridge in Tonbridge
/ Martin Richardson / BD90/05, CD368, CD368, Composites UK, CUR96, Cycleway, Footbridge, Footbridge, FRP Composites, Pedestrian
Off site production allowed us to continue with this project during the lock down. Once restrictions were eased the existing bridge was removed and the foundations upgraded by CRL working for Kent Highways, before the new bridge was installed in June. KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, and Member for Tonbridge, Michael Payne said:
“This work was carried out to provide a strengthened and refurbished bridge to ensure it continues to be safe river crossing for the public to use. “The original deck was made from railway rails with a type of expanded metal mesh reinforcement, but unfortunately it wasn’t able to handle the number of people using it.
The use of an FRP Bridge could qualify for an R&D Tax Relief.
/ Martin Richardson / CD368, CD368, CUR96, CUR96, Cycleway, Footbridge, Footbridge, FRP Composites, Pedestrian
Very few people in the construction industry are aware of the significant commercial opportunity from identifying R&D processes and expenditure within the business. If a contractor has changed or improved a traditional process, and applied it to the project, then the resources involved may qualify as R&D expenditure and contribute to a claim. By offering an alternative construction technique using a Lifespan Structures composite deck, clients can often qualify for an R&D claim which will reduce the tendered costly of the scheme or enhance the profit margin.
The revised DMRB replaces BD90/05 with CD368
/ Martin Richardson / BD90/05, BD90/05, CD368, CD368, CUR96, CUR96, Cycleway, Footbridge, FRP Composites, Pedestrian
The DMRB was updated by Highways England just before the lockdown started. We were probably all distracted from noticing this at the time. The technical changes were substantial, especially regarding FRP bridges but the structure of the suite of documents changed. A summary of these changes can be seen at (https://standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/help#new-structure)
One key change for us is the replacement of BD90/05 with CD368. CD368 updates the approach to FRP bridges. The new approach is now quite closely aligned with current European guidance documents.
Hounsden Gutter Project Completed
/ Martin Richardson / BD90/05, BD90/05, Carbon Fibre, Composite, Composite, CUR96, CUR96, Cycleway, Footbridge, Footbridge, FRP Composites, FRP Composites, Pedestrian, Timber Footbridge, Uncategorized
The existing skewed reinforced concrete footbridge had come to the end of it life, so an FRP Replacement was selected to provide reduced maintenance in the tree enclosed environment over the Gutter. Following completion of new abutments and associated retaining walls, the lightweight, preformed, replacement allowed fast and simple installation on site using a lorry mounted crane, to both transport and lift the bridge into place. The colour scheme was selected to match the clients requirements.
FRP Bridges on Horsey Cycleway Highly Commended by ICE
/ Martin Richardson / Awards, BD90/05, BD90/05, Composite, CUR96, CUR96, Cycleway, FRP Composites, FRP Composites, Lightweight, Pedestrian
Lifespan Structures FRP cycleway Bridges on Horsey Way, Eastbourne, were highly commended at the 2018 ICE South East England Engineering Excellence awards in the best infrastructure category..no mean feat when going up against much larger schemes, congratulations to all involved in the project! The new Horsey Cycleway crosses a wetlands area where two footbridges with service vehicle access were required to cross waterways on the route. Due to the poor ground conditions the bridges needed to be lightweight to aid installation and reduce the abutment loadings. The client, had already used an FRP composite footbridge on a previous scheme and commissioned Lifespan Structures to design and manufacture the two FRP composite Footbridges. The bridges were both 3.0m wide and had clear spans of 14.8m and 10.6m with respective deck weights of 5600kg and 3350kg.
Lightweight Cycleway Bridge Delivered
/ Martin Richardson / BD90/05, BD90/05, Composite, Composites UK, Cycleway, Fibercore, Footbridge, Footbridge, FRP Composites, FRP Composites, Lightweight, Pedestrian
Lightweight FRP bridge deck for cycleway delivered. The 15m by 3m structure has been constructed off site and is being unloaded using a lorry mounted crane. Low dead weights allow simplified foundations especially where poor ground conditions exist.
FRP Footbridge Durability Utilised in Damp Environment
/ Martin Richardson / BD90/05, BD90/05, Composite, Composite, CUR96, CUR96, Cycleway, Fibercore, Footbridge, Footbridge, FRP Composites, FRP Composites, Lightweight, Pedestrian, Pedestrian, Timber Footbridge, Timber Footbridge, Wooden Footbridge
A small bridge, just 5m span, used to gain public access across a drainage ditch into a local nature reserve. The client was concerned that a traditional timber structure would have reduced durability due to damp environment, so selected the FRP option to reduce maintenance and subsequent whole life cost. Its very well used by a lot of happy, wet and very muddy dogs!
New FRP Bridge Provides Safe Path
/ Martin Richardson / BD90/05, BD90/05, Composite, Composite, CUR96, CUR96, Cycleway, Footbridge, FRP Composites, FRP Composites, Pedestrian, Pedestrian
[caption id="attachment_777" align="alignnone" width="300"] New FRP footbridge gives path users a safe route away from traffic.[/caption]
Our latest FRP bridge takes the route of a new footpath across a stream and safely away from a road. The low maintenance FRP solution, in an environment where a timber bridge would have a significantly lower life before major maintenance is required, means significantly reduced whole life costing. The fast procurement and off site construction allowed installation in time for spring and summer season.