Timber Footbridge in Wendelstrand - An Iterative Design Process Combining Architecture and Engineering

Abstract

Wendelstrand is a new residential area in Mölnlycke planned with sustainability and wood as overall concepts. Adjacent to the area is the lake Landvettersjön, which today is cut off by a highly travelled country road. A footbridge over the road will link the lake and Wendelstrand and create a safe crossing for both residents and visitors to the area. In this thesis a proposal for such a footbridge is developed with emphasis on the relation to the timber and sustainability-concept of Wendelstrand, as well as the integration between architectural and structural qualities. An iterative design method is used to examine and develop possible solutions for a bridge proposal. Reference projects of existing timber bridges are used in the development of feasible bridge designs. Site-specific prerequisites, intentions from the developer Next Step Group, regulations from the local municipality and the Swedish Transport Administration are considered and integrated into the design. The proposal suggests a straight bridge across the road leading to a floating structure on the lake. The bridge supports are integrated into the superstructure and designed to limit the impact on the site. Physical models are used to verify the assembly process, as well as the structural concept and spatial qualities of the design. The design corresponds with Swedish and European standards concerning structural response. Simplified calculations are performed to verify the global and detailed design of the design proposal. A solution for an efficient structure in addition to an appealing architectural appearance is achieved by applying the principles of active bending in the superstructure.