Implementation and Testing of Short Span Footbridge System Made of UHPC

Abstract

This paper presents the results of testing and the first application of a newly developed innovative system of the bridge superstructures made of UHPC material. Being designed for footbridges it is called short span footbridge system - SSFS. This system was developed for a wide range of uses mainly as footbridges for pedestrians and cyclists and without waterproofing or surfacing. Prestressed prefabricated elements work as single-span beams with a span of up to 20 meters. Thanks to the optimization of the geometry design and the advantageous use of the mechanical properties of the UHPC material in combination with the prestressing, it was possible to achieve a very small construction height. These subtle and light load-bearing components tend to move away from traditional concrete structures, their span-to-depth ratios are closer to steel beams, but the needs for corrosion protection are eliminated using UHPC, which is inherently very durable and therefore almost maintenance-free. SSFS elements can be manufactured with a variable width of up to approx. 3.2 m, but they can be connected transversely and therefore the width of the structure is not limited. The first part of the paper is devoted to the development of the system and real applications of the first few footbridges made of UHPC material and other possibilities of this technology for future applications. The second part of the paper mentions the design and experimental verification of anchoring devices that are used to manipulate small-span footbridges made of UHPC.