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.

We are busy taking bookings for our technical seminars which can be conducted at Clients offices / hybrid or on-line to suit individual requirements. The two key presentations available are:
Bridging The Gap An introduction & history of composites in construction, the feasibility / design / supply & installation of recent Lifespan resin infused FRP bridge case studies, financial & economic benefits versus traditional materials
The Lifespan Bridge Management Service Tailored to the requirements of all bridge owners and stakeholders the CPD identifies the key actions required during the life of a footbridge, from initial concept to end of service and everything in between.

Bridge decks often require repairs and eventually replacement during the service life of a bridge. These can be steel, concrete or timber decks for pedestrian and vehicle access. At Lifespan we can design, supply, and if required install, lightweight FRP composite decks which can reduce the deck dead load by 50%. These decks reduce the environmental impact in terms of carbon and energy embodiment. They are also quicker and safer to install compared to traditional materials. The decks are delivered complete with surfacing and ready for installation onsite.

Bridge design is not just structural performance but also about how a bridge looks and the social benefits that a well-designed bridge can deliver in the context of the surrounding environment. Highways England have recently published a document entitled “Principles of Good Road Design” in an initiative to improve the design process which we fully support. There is an emphasis on innovation using long lasting quality materials which we can deliver with an FRP composite bridge. At Lifespan we work with leading bridge Architects to deliver a design concept based on the brief from the Client.

The annual bridge conference is being held at the Ricoh Stadium in Coventry on the 9th March and we will be there on stand D01. As our guest you can use the special promo code EXHIN22 for the 2 day event or EXHIN122 to attend on the 9th March. This will save you over 40% on the standard rates. We will be joining our colleagues from Concrete Repairs Ltd (CRL) and CRL Surveys who will be demonstrating the range of services which they are able to provide for bridge inspection and maintenance. Martin Richardosn and John Drewett will be on the stand ready to answer any questions you might have about FRP composite bridges.

We are now in a position to offer vehicle bridges that carry traffic loads shall be designed for BS EN 1991-2 [Ref 4.N] load models (LM) LM1, LM2 and, if appropriate for pedestrians, LM4 which are fully compliant with the latest DMRB standards. We are currently in the design phase for two vehicle bridges to be supplied and installed later this year. We started the business in 2015 and without an established market for moulded FRP composite bridges in the UK we decided to target the local authority sector with footbridges, this has been very well received.

Information on the design of FRP footbridges has developed quickly over the last few years, with the new version of the DMRB which included the publication of CD368 - Design of fibre reinforced polymer bridges and highway structures, and the updates to recommendations in Europe such as CROW-CUR recommendation 96-2019 Fibre-reinforced polymers in buildings and civil engineering structures (CUR96)
Whilst CD368 is now very much in line with CUR96, there are still some fundamental differences between the 2 documents.

We are pleased to offer a new CPD introducing our Footbridge Management Service.  To book this CPD please contact martin@lifespanstructures.com
Tailored to the requirements of all footbridge owners and stakeholders the CPD is identifies the key actions required during the life of a footbridge, from initial concept to end of service and everything in between. Through Lifespan Structures we will introduce the services that are available to develop, manage and maintain a footbridge portfolio via our group of companies, and see how we can offer a solution to wide range of footbridge management issues.

We have published a technical paper to help clients and specifiers understand the significant differences in terms of installation, performance and long term maintenance of the different types of FRP bridge solutions that are available. There are two generic types of FRP composite bridges and they have quite different performance characteristics and maintenance requirements, so it is important for clients to understand the differences at the procurement stage. Moulded bridge decks are generally manufactured in a mould with dry fibres laid in specific orientations with a core material to produce a sandwich construction.

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.