Prefacricated modular wooden bridges

IRG/WP 17-40785

L Jayanetti

The bridge consists of simple, identical pre-fabricated triangular wooden panels joined top and bottom to make up trusses. These trusses are in turn joined together side by side in pairs and are braced to one another to create a girder construction. The deck is carried on top of the trusses, an arrangement which has several advantages for such an uncomplicated structure. It is built up on site, after the girders are launched, using a nailed laminated construction. The bridge has a slight built-in precamber. Longitudinal running boards direct the wheel loads of vehicles using the bridge. Handrails are normal in rural areas near villages where pedestrian safety is a consideration, although in remote countryside or forests these can be omitted for economy if desired. The design has proved most economical for spans between 9 meters and 24 meters, although design tables for up to 27 meters are provided.


Keywords: timber bridges, prefabrication, bridge loadings, bridge launching

Conference: 17-06-04/08 Ghent, Belgium


Download document (972 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document