Articles about Footbridge

Due to economic & climate considerations Clients demand ever more sustainable options when trying to repair or extend the life of their bridges rather than its complete replacement. Bridges often require repairs and eventually wholescale replacement of key structural elements during its service life & these can be very expensive and disruptive to the users of the bridge. Perhaps the most disruptive and costly is that of the deck replacement which could be steel, concrete or a timber deck for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle trafficking.

Our first project of this kind in the UK has been sucessfully completed after extensive work by the Lifespan team with the Client, Forestry England the largest landowner in England. The Lifespan bridges provide a far more sustainable, cost effective and durable bridge deck solution than has been historically achieved using traditional building materials whilst also reducing the carbon footprint and energy embodiment in the bridge structures. The 2 new Lifespan resin infused FRP bridges were designed to BS EN 1991-2 [Ref 4.N] load model LM1 & LM2 which is also fully compliant with the latest DMRB standards and capable of withstanding trafficking by fully laden 44T logging HGV lorries.

Almost 7 years ago one of our Local Authority Clients issued a tender for a project that required a new simply supported 8m single span bridge of 1m width with a standard anti climb parapet. A variety of typical bridge construction types were permitted including steel, timber and an alternative using Lifespan resin infused FRP composites. With input from the Client additional considerations were made as to the likely cost and regularity of maintenance works for each of the possible bridge types in order to ascertain a whole life cost for each of the options.

EuCIA publishes update on future Eurocode for composites

The extent to which manufacturing-induced fibre mat misalignments compromise the structural integrity of pultruded GFRP road bridge decks is not properly understood. The problem is often critical at the web-flange junctions, which frequently contain the most severe misalignments and are subjected to high local moment-shear (M-V) combinations due to concentrated tyre load and also global vehicle load effects. Over the last 20 years, several GFRP decks have developed tyre load-induced damage of the top flange, due in large part to the prevalence of fibre misalignments.

Colinton Dell is a steep-sided gorge and wildlife refuge on the Water of Leith, just north of the old village of Colinton on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It extends from Colinton Parish Church towards Slateford along the Water of Leith Walkway and has an area of 10 ha (25 acres). The Dell includes mature and ancient mixed woodland and the protection afforded by the high banks and thick undergrowth makes it a natural habitat for wildlife, including numerous bird species and amphibians, voles, weasels, stoats and occasionally roe deer.

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 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.

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.