Challenge

The proposed PIO project is part of a pilot project by De Vlaamse Waterweg and the Department of MOW to build two bicycle bridges in composite material. The use of composite bridges is almost non-existent in Flanders, although composite materials (in this context: fibre-reinforced plastics) offer a number of important advantages.

Among other things, they are stronger, more durable and maintenance-friendly than "traditional" building materials. Characteristics such as lightweight, flexibility and limited installation time are also interesting, especially in the context of bicycle and pedestrian bridges.

Despite this potential, there is insufficient knowledge among authorities and study bureaus in Flanders to draw up or evaluate design choices and calculation notes, as a result of which the application of composite bridges lags behind.

There are also no standards yet at Belgian or European level for the calculation of such structures.

The aim of the pilot project is, first of all, to gain knowledge at MOW about the design and behaviour of such composite bridges, so that a more considered choice can be made in future assignments.

In that respect, support was sought to follow up the design and monitor the behaviour of the bridges.

The latter implies, among other things, the incorporation of sensors in the bridges. It is also explicitly intended that the knowledge from the project will be widely disseminated, including to other government bodies, study agencies, contractors, etc.