Design of Movable Bridges - Selected Examples

To develop successful cycling and walking networks in the Netherlands often navigable waterways need to crossed. In theory this can be done with a fixed bridge if it has a large enough vertical clearance. However, to access high bridges like these often long winding ramps are required. In practice such ramps prove to be difficult to integrate in an urban context.

Therefore a movable bridge can be the preferred solution despite the higher lifecycle costs. In a study for a possible new footbridge crossing a canal in Rijswijk this was the case.

In this paper important aspects of the design of a movable bridge are described, from the why of a movable bridge to aspects like possible mechanisms, types of machinery and the required safety measures and how to integrate all these aspects successfully.

This is done by first describing the design process of the movable bridge in Rijswijk in detail and then striking elements of others designs for movable bridges.

This creative work is copyrighted. The copyright holder(s) do(es) not grant any usage rights other than viewing and downloading the work for personal use. Further copying or publication requires the permission of the copyright holder(s).