Manufacture and installation of GRP bridge along de Schelde(Tournai)

Purpose

As part of the construction of a new water station on the left bank of de Schelde in Tournai, CGK Group installed a brand new composite bridge with GRP railings (downstream of the Vaulx-Chercq bridge). A project of SPW (Service Public Wallonie), co-financed by the European Union.

Problem-solution

The use of fibreglass-reinforced plastic (GRP) bridges is not yet well established in Belgium. That is why, initially, the idea was to install an iron bridge. After a thorough study, it soon became clear that a composite bridge was the most optimal solution in the long term.

GRP is stronger than steel, much lighter and requires no maintenance. Moreover, corrosion does not stand a chance in the moist environment in which the bridge is placed.

• The bridge is attached to only 1 axial bearing, allowing it to ‘yield’ and easily absorb shocks from mooring boats.
• GRP is stronger than steel, but less rigid and therefore more flexible. To counteract deflection, we used reinforced GRP bridge profiles (U) with carbon fibres.
• For a composite bridge with pultrusion profiles, this is quite a long bridge (11.5m).
• At the beginning of the bridge there will be another GRP door that is electrically secured. This will allow only authorised people to access the bridge.

The CGK team was responsible for the manufacture, transport and installation of the entire bridge with GRP railings. A nice challenge, as this is not a typical construction bridge.