The construction of the bridge is based on the Fiberline Design Manual and illustrates that even large constructions can be made using only Fiberline standard profiles.
|
A breakthrough in Composite Design Technology
Scandinavia's first composite bridge - the Fiberline Bridge in Kolding, Denmark, was officially opened on 18th June, 1997.
The new bridge, matching the strictest safety standards, has shown that GRP composites may represent the building material of the future for lightweight, maintenance-free bridges.
The Fiberline pedestrian and cyclist bridge is the first of its kind to cross a railway line. The busy railway line restricted installation work to only a few hours during nights between Saturdays and Sundays, and after only 3 such nights in May and June, the bridge was ready. The short installation time has illustrated the clear advantages of composites.
Composites are superior to traditional materials like steel and concrete in a number of ways
- With a span of 40 metres and a load bearing capacity of 500 kgs/m2 the bridge weighs some 12 tons only - less than half the weight of a similar steel construction, making foundation, assembly and transport both simpler and cheaper.
- The composite bridge has an important environmental advantage. The total consumption of energy required for raw materials, production and assembly accounts for only one quarter of the would-be energy consumption for a similar construction of steel or concrete.
- The bridge, which is uninfluenced by rain, salt and sub-zero temperatures, is expected to require only cosmetic maintenance over the coming 50 years or more, reducing maintenance costs considerably compared to traditional bridges of steel, concrete or wood.
In 28 different places, the Bridge has been provided with strain gauges for research, development and educational purposes. From the adjacent measuring station it is possible to observe tensions and deformations at changing loads and weather conditions, facilities expected to be of particular interest to universities and technical colleges.
The Fiberline Bridge is constructed by Fiberline Composites in close co-operation with RAMBOLL and the City of Kolding. Sponsors behind the Fiberline Bridge include also Jotun Polymer AS, Norway, who supplied the polyester and the Toledo, Ohio-based Owens-Corning, who supplied the fiberglass.
The construction of the bridge is based on the Fiberline Design Manual and illustrates that even large constructions can be made using only standard profiles from our current production range.
For the bridge, Fiberline Composites were awarded the 1997 Innovation Prize of the German Reinforced Plastics Association, AVK and the 1998 Product Award of the Confederation of Danish Industries.
Technical Specifications for the Fiberline Bridge in Kolding.
|
Length, total |
40 m |
|
Length, deck Section 1 |
27 m |
|
Length, deck Section 2 |
13 m |
|
Width, total |
3.2 m |
|
Deck height, total |
1.5 m |
|
Deck height, inner |
1.2 m |
|
Tower, height |
18.5 m |
|
Weight, total |
12 tonnes |
|
Designed load capacity |
500 kg/m2 |
| Designed vehicle weight capacity |
5 tonnes |
|
Designed wheel pressure |
1.8 tonnes |
|
Designed max. deflection L/200 |
13 cm |
|
No. of stays |
8 |
The actual costs of the Fiberline Bridge compared to similar
bridges of steel and concrete are listed.
|
1000 US$ |
GRP |
STEEL |
CONCRETE |
|
Engineering |
60 1) |
30 |
22 |
|
Foundation |
60 |
75 |
90 |
|
Materials |
120 |
20 |
90 |
|
Fabrication |
60 |
90 |
- |
|
Installation |
30 |
60 |
90 |
|
Surface treatment |
10 |
30 |
15 |
|
Others |
30 |
40 |
40 |
|
TOTAL |
370 |
345 |
347 |
C100UK |
 |
 Strain gauges being installed
 Bridge reactions being observed
The weather station on top of the 18.5 m tower measures temperatures, wind velocity and direction
|
