PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A new innovative concept has been developed for a bridge made of steel plates to create a visually attractive structure with pure forms and slender components.
The importance to create a new city entrance and the prominence of the bridge site demanded a structure that was sensitive to the urban landscape.
The major concern in the design process was the balance of cost, aesthetics and structural efficiency. The bridge consists of nine spans with a continuous deck of an overall length of 485 m. The main span is 120 m long and its deck is supported in the central part by a curved tied steel member between two pylons.
This central curved component above the deck level splits into two branches over the side spans and creates two doorways. All steel components consist of steel stiffened plates.
The platform is 19.9 m wide and accommodates four traffic lanes, a central median and two side walkways for pedestrians.
The deck is a steel-composite cross-section in the 3 main spans and post-tensioned concrete box-girder on the approaches. The deck is continuous and expansion joints are placed at the abutments.
DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION APPROACH
The bridge has been designed in accordance with Spanish Bridge and Structural Codes. The specified concrete for the composite steel-concrete deck is grade C-40. Grade C-45 is used for the post-tensioned concrete at the approaches.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Sobrino J.A.; Bridge over Ter River in Girona (Spain). International Bridge Conference. Pittsburgh (USA), June 2012.
