Leri Footbridge Built with Strongwell’s Lightweight, Corrosion Resistant FRP
February 2, 2010 | 2 comments
Strongwell distributor and fabricator Pipex Structural Composites selected EXTREN® structural shapes, SAFPLATE® gritted plate and SAFPLANK® interlocking decking system for use in a 260 foot (80M) pedestrian footbridge over the River Leri in Wales, United Kingdom.
Pipex supplied and fabricated the footbridge for Network Rail. The footbridge provides a safe means to cross the River Leri alongside an existing railway crossing.
The use of Strongwell’s lightweight fiberglass components afforded Pipex the ability to fabricate the bridge in sections. Eleven sections of the footbridge were assembled and load tested at the Pipex fabrication facility in Plymouth, U.K., over an 18 week period. The largest section was 40 foot(12M) long and weighed 6,000 lbs.(2800kg), facilitating installation by roadrailer from the adjacent railway.
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Can I use your product to replace a hollow, 1.75″ square x 96″ lg. 6061-T6 aluminium tube with .125″ wall and get close to the same machanical properties, size and weight.
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Strongwell EXTREN® pultruded FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) is preferred in lieu of aluminum 6061-T61 and T651 in many applications; however, the actual application will determine the feasibility of replacement.
The structural – mechanical performance and selection of a component in any material is dependent upon the actual durability, environmental exposure resistance, loading conditions, attachment and end-connection conditions, buckling characteristics, allowable stress factors and / or resistant strength factors, etc. required for each particular application.
Strongwell publishes a Design Manual for its EXTREN® pultruded products which provides material properties and design methodology to aid in the determination, selection and design of EXTREN®. The Design Manual is available on Strongwell’s website: http://www.strongwell.com/designmanual. The technical information provided on line in the Design Manual allows a designer to determine the proper material series and structural profile for most applications.
If after reviewing our Design Manual, you need further assistance regarding availability and cost or other specifics concerning EXTREN® or any of our other products our customer service, professional engineer, and / or our material lab personnel will be glad to speak with you and can be reached at 276-645-8000. Please ask for one of our customer service representatives so that you can be assisted to the appropriate source(s) and personnel.
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