A remake using 80% recycled material
Due to wood rot and aging, the iconic wooden bicycle and pedestrian bridge connecting Halderberge and Moerdijk needed replacement. The client’s primary requirement was that the main supporting structure should not be made of wood. We won the tender with a reinforced pylon bridge made of recycled steel, inspired by the old bridge, featuring a playful lookout post and smart LED lighting.
Designing with circular materials
More than 50% of our projects, including this 92-meter-long pylon bridge, embrace circular design. At least 80% of the new bridge is constructed from materials with a previous life. Starting with this concept for materials, we initiated our construction process not with technical design but with the search for suitable materials. We found this in 55 mm thick steel parts salvaged from an old ProRail railway bridge. Our drawing process started with an understanding of not only the strengths but also the limitations of these 24-meter-long steel profiles.
Point clouds
To faithfully recreate the striking shape and historical importance of the old bridge, we first conducted a 3D scan of the existing bridge. This allowed us to convert the point cloud into detailed 3D drawings, illustrating the entire construction down to the bolt level. This process showed us what aspects we could recreate and where we could make structural improvements, transitioning from wood to steel. This included a reinforced foundation and a more robust span.
Tekla Structures and Trimble Connect
Using the point cloud and harvested materials, we collaborated with Arc2 architects to design a new bridge featuring a playful lookout post, animal-friendly LED lighting in the railings, and, of course, second-life materials. The design was further refined in Tekla Structures in close collaboration with Wiggers engineers. This involved an intriguing process where each of the four pylons is composed of two welded railway bridge parts. Technical drawings from Tekla Structures were converted into impressive 3D presentations using Trimble Connect, involving our client in the process.
The result
The original bridge has been demolished, and new scaffolding is being made from its materials. We are currently engaged in prefabricating the steel bridge. We conduct rigorous checks on each weld using magnetic, visual, and ultrasonic methods. The result will be a striking bridge that pays homage to the original while offering numerous enhancements. These include a well-considered, reinforced construction, a playful lookout post, amber-colored LED lighting that brightens as pedestrians approach and dims afterward, and the evident circular character seen in the recesses of the pylons. This project exemplifies that circular design is not just the future but a reality today.
Â
