A carbon hanger bridge on the Poland-Germany border has opened for rail crossings, and is the first example of this type of bridge being used for heavy loads.
A carbon hanger bridge on the Poland-Germany border has opened for rail crossings, and is the first example of this type of bridge being used for heavy loads. New Civil Engineer reports that the pioneering design incorporating high-performance carbon has never previously been used for significant load bearing elements.
The 266m bridge crosses the river Oder to carry the revived Berlin-Königsberg-Eydtkuhnen rail line. Carbon hangers are tensile elements made from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer, a technologically advanced material that is exceptionally strong for its weight, reducing the overall load on the bridge structure.
The carbon is much lighter than traditional bridge materials such as post-tensioned concrete or steel, and has excellent fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance. This can expand the lifespan of the bridge and help it survive in harsh weather conditions. It also potentially reduces the amount of maintenance required for the bridge.
The use of carbon hangers in bridge design and construction requires specialist knowledge and techniques. The Oder Bridge was designed by Schüßler-Plan and Knight Architects after a two-stage international competition, and developed by the structural engineers Schlaich Bergermann Partner (SBP).
SBP board member Andreas Keil said: “We are proud that we were able to convince the client of our alternative technical solution of a network arch with carbon hangers. As such, the Oder Bridge symbolises a striking example of innovative engineering and marks a new chapter in bridge construction.”
Schüßler-Plan Berlin managing director André Hörmeyer added: “The inauguration of the rail bridges over the Oder River and the Odervorflut marks the completion of a technically outstanding and complex project.”
“Thanks to the impressive teamwork of all those involved and the excellent cross-border cooperation, this challenging project could be realised. We are proud to have accompanied this impressive project throughout its entire duration, from the competition to its successful completion.”
SBP director of research and development Lorenz Haspel said: “It has been a journey from a good idea to a bold decision to a new type of structural system. I am particularly pleased that initial doubts turned into valued cooperation with many parties involved in this project.”
The Oder Bridge is the world’s first rail bridge that uses carbon hangers as part of the superstructure for significant load-bearing elements. In the UK, the Queensferry Crossing in Scotland incorporates some carbon tendons as part of its cable-stayed design, but these do exclusively support the loads on the bridge.
The new bridge will shorten rail journey times by allowing high-speed trains to pass with a maximum speed of 120km/h. It will also alleviate the pressure of road traffic and enable easier international transportation between Poland and Germany. It replaces the 1926 single track bridge that no longer carried rail traffic.