Timber Bridge for Cyclist and Pedestrians, Brussels

A new timber bridge was built to ensure that cyclists and pedestrians in Tervuren, Belgium, can safely cross the heavily trafficked crossroads on the Brussels Ring Road. The cantilevered box girder made of GLVL plates features a structure with length of 67.5 m (221.5 ft) and a total weight of approximately 300 metric tons (330.7 US tons). A particular challenge was the structural design and installation of the structure.

For the structural analysis, the entire structure was modeled and calculated in detail in RFEM. The focus was on analyzing the complex nodal points and the numerous connection systems. The nodes were modeled using equivalent members. Furthermore, the nonlinear spring stiffnesses of the connections were taken into account in the analysis model.

To reliably evaluate the structural behavior of the structure, ultimate limit state analyses were performed using different stiffness values. This allowed for analyzing the influence of material behavior and connections on the structural system. In addition, material tests were conducted on the LVL connections and incorporated into the calculation.

The temporary construction and assembly states were also analyzed using RFEM. In this way, the stability of the structural system during the individual construction stages was designed and ensured. The orthogonally arranged LVL plates were initially modeled with direction-dependent, orthotropic stiffnesses. The Dlubal add-on “Multilayer Surfaces” was used for the final design.

The result is an elegant timber bridge that allows cyclists and pedestrians to cross safely. At the same time, the bridge blends harmoniously into the redesign of the road section, marking yet another successful project for a Dlubal customer.