The design of a modular and reusable biocomposite railway footbridge
J.D.B. Jilderda (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
J.E.P. Smits – Mentor (TU Delft - Structural Design & Mechanics)
M. Bilow – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Building Product Innovation)
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Abstract
In a constantly evolving urban environment, it is important that we design structures with future adaptability in mind. Bridges for example can have very long life spans, but within their life span their use might change or even become obsolete. Disposing of the bridge, which can still be in perfectly good shape, would be a terrible waste of resources.
As a more innovative approach, in this thesis a modular and reusable railway footbridge is designed so that the bridge can be assembled and reassembled based on changing local requirements. To further improve its sustainable character, the choice of main structural material is basalt fiber reinforced polylactic acid, which is a more sustainable alternative to regular FRP.
The conclusion of this thesis is a design which shows methods to demonstrate the modular and demountable character of the bridge, using mainly bolted and pinned connections between the modules.