Delivery of a 40 m long fibre-reinforced polymer composite footbridge in Madrid, Spain

Abstract

This paper describes the design, manufacture, installation and load testing of a 40 m long urban footbridge over the River Manzanares in Madrid, Spain. The main structure of the footbridge consists of a fibre-reinforced polymer girder. The girder was manufactured in a workshop using the resin-infusion process, which is normally used to manufacture fibreglass boat hulls. Potential problems that can arise in the manufacture of such elements are highlighted in the paper and the strategies adopted to cope with them are illustrated. The girder was transported by truck to the site where it was lifted onto reinforced concrete supports. The results of the static and dynamic load tests carried out after completion of the pedestrian bridge are presented.