Lydney Cycle Bridge, Gloucester

Lydney Recreation Trust Ground

8.8m long

3m wide

2100kg

As part of general improvement to cycleways in the town, a new bridge was required within Lydney Recreation Trust Ground to provide a crossing over a stream suitable for use by cyclists. The damp nature of the tree covered location, over the stream in Gloucestershire, lead the client to consider the use of an FRP bridge deck to maximise durability and minimise whole life costs of the new structure. The new 8.8m long and 3.0m width cycle bridge was designed and supplied by Lifespan Structures

Design

A galvanised and powder coated steel parapet was attached to the outside edge of the bridge, and colours of both parapet and bridge deck were selected to match the environment. Fast installation of the lightweight structure minimised disruption to users of the park. New mass concrete foundations were cast, including ballast and cheek walls to provide a bearing shelf to support the bridge.

The outputs from the design process were;

Deck Length 8.8m & Clear Width 3.0m
Deck weight was 2100kg
Designed to the requirements of Eurocodes, and BD90/05
The maximum deflection under a characteristic live load of 5kN/m2 and a 10kN concentrated load was 24mm, less than span/300
The minimum natural frequency was 5.4Hz, Greater or equal to 5.0Hz
All strains were kept below allowable limits under ULS load cases
Bolted connections shall accommodate an allowance of at least +/-7.6mm for thermal expansion