Home / News / First composites arch bridge built from Strongwell systems

First composites arch bridge built from Strongwell systems

17 Sep '14

2 min read

The Sumani Trace Bridge in Trinidad is the first internationally constructed composites arch bridge, built from Strongwell’s ‘Composolite’ building panel system.

Designed by AIT and installed by Lincoln and Associates in Trinidad, the five arch bridge spans over 26’, is over 24’ wide, and has a 5’ rise.

Strongwell’s ‘Composolite’ building system acted as a corrosion resistant soil retention headwall system.

The easy-to-fit system allowed the installers to slide the panels together to create headwalls in less than one working day. All of the bridge components fit into a standard ISO container with space to spare.

The bridge utilized FRP composite tubes to act as external reinforcements and a permanent formwork for cast-in-place structures to replace steel rebar, eliminating all exposure to rust and corrosion.

Strongwell says utilizing this quick-install system with materials which provide excellent high strength to low weight ratios translated into lower installed costs through the reduction of personnel, equipment, traffic congestion, and construction schedules.

“The AIT Composite Arch Bridge system is an excellent example of how composites can be used to replace steel in vehicular superstructures in corrosive fresh and saltwater environments without compromising aesthetic appeal or increasing maintenance requirements” it adds.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as of December 2013, there are over 29,000 structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges within the National Highway System and over 140,000 outside of the system.

It says the factors leading to a bridge’s deficiency are usually directly attributed to corrosion.

Hybrid composite concrete bridge technology has offered a step-in solution to reduce upfront costs in material, fabrication time, transportation, construction time and maintenance issues from traditional bridges. (AR)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India