Bridges

Faber Maunsell has the skills and experience to undertake the analysis, design and detailing of all types of bridges and civil engineering structures, including intricate or demanding structural commissions such as moving structures, cable-supported structures and highly sophisticated scientific instruments like large telescopes.

With an international reputation, Faber Maunsell has played key roles in some of the world's largest bridge projects. Over the past 40 years we have been at the forefront of bridge design technology in both concrete and steel, and more recently in the use of advanced composites. Innovation, cost-efficiency, constructability and maintainability are essential key features of our design ethos, and we have a proven track record and extensive experience of working holistically with some of the world's principal contractors.

Approach

The integration of our skills including expertise in geotechnical engineering, seismic design, dynamics, wind engineering, hydraulics and ship collision risk, coupled with support from leading architects, allows us to achieve aesthetically satisfying results in bridge design now and for the future.

Faber Maunsell works within both the public and private sectors, to provide planning, design, construction supervision, inspection and maintenance management for bridges and other civil engineering structures of all sizes and types.

Faber Maunsell engineers serve on several national and international committees concerned with the design and construction of bridges.

Bridges Design

Our bridge experience extends from small exquisite footbridges to the world's largest suspension bridges and covers everything in between. Our staff have experience in working in most structural materials including steel, concrete, timber, glass, aluminium and advanced composites or 'structural plastics'. We have experience in the design of all forms of bridge structure from simple slab bridges, through box girder bridges to large arches, cable-stayed and suspension bridges. Bridges with opening spans present additional design challenges. Faber Maunsell engineers have successfully responded to such challenges, developing designs for several moveable bridges.

For larger bridges, the method of construction will impact on the design. Our designers have experience of many bridge construction methods including insitu and precast concrete, precast segmental, balanced cantilever and span-by-span techniques, which enables them to prepare constructable and cost-effective designs.

In the 1980s, Faber Maunsell developed the concept of bridge enclosure in which steel composite or plate girder bridges are encapsulated in an inert membrane formed in advanced composite materials. As well as protecting the steelwork from detrimental effects of corrosion it also provides a working platform giving permanent protected access for inspection and maintenance. Long span bridges also gain the benefits of aerodynamic profiling. Enclosures have been used on a number of bridges in the United Kingdom and overseas.

It is not only the initial capital cost of a bridge that is important, but also the continuing cost of future maintenance (including the cost of disruption experienced by bridge users during maintenance operations) and sustainability issues. Faber Maunsell has the expertise to evaluate the whole-life costs of bridges and the effects on the local environment, including the effects on users and those living near the bridges. Our staff participate in the management of existing infrastructure including inspection, maintenance and assessment of bridges ranging from the recent to the historic. Where necessary, strengthening schemes have been implemented, with emphasis on creating sympathy with the structure and its surroundings.

For more information on our experience and capabilities please contact Richard Cooke.