Composite versus wood, concrete and steel
Whereas wood, concrete and steel have long been the traditional building materials in bridge construction, composites have been making huge inroads in recent decades. And that's not surprising. As a construction material, composite has many advantages over wood, concrete and steel.
Lightweight, less foundation required
Composite bridges offer many advantages over traditional wooden, steel and concrete bridges. For starters, they are generally lighter in weight than their traditional counterparts, making transportation and installation easier. This also has advantages for the foundation required. Composite also has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than wood, steel or concrete, so composite bridges can often span longer distances with fewer supports.
Resistant to various weather and environmental influences
Composite is a material that is more resistant to corrosion and harsh weather conditions than traditional materials, extending their lifespan and reducing long-term maintenance costs.
Sustainable
The combination of a lightweight product, use of few raw materials with low CO2 emissions, reduction of transport movements, the long lifespan, the fact that our bridges are virtually maintenance-free and fully relocatable makes them contribute to making the infrastructure market more sustainable. Read more about sustainability.
High attenuation of noise
Composite materials also have a higher damping capacity than steel, meaning the bridge vibrates less in response to loads such as wind or traffic. This greater damping not only leads to greater comfort for pedestrians and motorists, but also reduces noise pollution to the surrounding area.
Aesthetic potential of composite bridge compared to wood, concrete or steel bridge
Composite bridges offer many more options in terms of aesthetics than wooden, steel or concrete bridges. Unlike the limited capabilities of traditional materials, composite material bridges are available in a variety of colors, textures, shapes and patterns. Because composite materials are light and strong, curved bridge designs are possible that would have been unfeasible with steel or concrete. These unique properties allow architects to create bridges that not only meet structural requirements, but also take center stage in the community or serve as striking architectural focal points.
Conclusion
Overall, composite bridges offer a number of potential advantages over traditional structures:
- A lower weight
- More strength and durability
- Better resistance to environmental conditions
- High sound attenuation
- More aesthetic options
Therefore, composite is becoming the preferred material for many bridge projects.