The document discusses sustainable bridge design. It explores using materials like concrete, steel, aluminum and fiber reinforced polymer that are durable and can decrease environmental impact. Different bridge types are compared in terms of their environmental impact. Design considerations for sustainable bridges include using materials with low embodied energy, increasing durability to extend lifespan, and facilitating easy deconstruction and reuse of materials. Future concepts discussed include bridges that harvest solar and wind energy. The document reflects on the need for more innovative and sustainable bridge design to improve infrastructure for the future.

1. How can we
design
sustainable
bridges?
Annie Farbman
Leslie Tillman

2. Why sustainable bridges?
 Sustainablebridge design is
important looking into the future!
 Decreasing carbon footprint
 Increasing lifetime and use of important
civil infrastructure
 We chose this topic because:
 Annie wants to build bridges and…
 Leslie wants to make infrastructure
sustainable!

3. Materials Selection
 Concrete: Durable, cheap, abundant, pre-cast
 Green-Star certified concrete mix plants, high
performance or environmentally friendly concrete
 Steel
 Can be recycled steel material, reusable
 Aluminum
 Resistant to corrosion=longer life
 Lighter=able to bear larger loads
 Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP)
 Highly resistant to corrosion
 Increased strength to weight ratio

4. Bridge Type Comparison
Environmental Concrete (in
Impact Bridge Type Steel (in KWh/ft^2) KWh/ft^2)
Low viaduct 460 416
girder 798 610
arch 1287 886
cable stay 1041 558
Average viaduct 607 558
girder 1016 791
arch 1599 1269
cable stay 1308 1134
High viaduct 796 731
girder 1274 1010
arch 1274 1574
cable stay 1954 1416

5. Design & Construction
Low energy input-depends on
low environmental impact
Increased durability
 Longer lifespan, less waste,
labor/maintenance, more cost
efficient
Simplified deconstruction
 Aids in ability to be repurposed

6. Rehabilitation, Demolition and
Replacement
 Steel bridges can use bolted connections
for easy deconstruction
 Bridge preservation or component reuse

7. Facilitating Sustainable Bridges
 Service life extension
 Investigate and develop new specs
 Better management, strengthening and
repairing systems
 Review past/current projects
focusing on more sustainable
design
 Need to focus more on end phase
 Repairing and rehabilitating

8. Future Concepts
 Solarpower
 Wind harvesting
 Rainwater collection and wastewater
treatment applications

9. Solar-powered Kurilpa Bridge
in Brisbane

10. Telok Blangah Hill Park’s Flying
Infrastructure in the Sky

11. Copenhagen Harbor LM
Project

12. Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia

13. Solar-powered, Inhabited
redesigned London Bridge
Concept

14. Reflection
 Leslie:New innovative bridges can
improve functionality and decrease the
environmental impact.
 Annie: I believe we can easily learn from
failed or existing infrastructure in order to
design for the future.
 Our question doesn’t affect us as female
engineers, but everyone should be
designing for a sustainable future,
including lots of women!

15. 
References
1. http://macrete.com/downloadResource?id=81
 2. http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21117/
 3. http://inhabitat.com/top-5-most-innovative-green-bridges-on-the-planet/
 4. ftp://ftp.wsdot.wa.gov/public/Bridge/WBES2009/B/2B2/2B2.pdf
 5.
http://wpage.unina.it/cosenza/paper/FRP%20Composites%20for%20Constru
ction.pdf
 6. http://www.sustainablebridges.net/
 7. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/97spring/high.cfm
 8. Ruiz-Teran, Ana M, and Angel C Aparicio. "Developments In Under-Deck
And Combined Cable-Stayed Bridges." Bridge Engineering 163.2 (2010): 67-
78. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 May 2012
 9. Jim Kirkpatrick, et al. "Sustainable Bridge Construction Through Innovative
Advances." Bridge Engineering 161.4 (2008): 183-188. Academic Search
Premier. Web. 2 May 2012.
 10. Martin, A. J. "Concrete Bridges In Sustainable Development." Engineering
Sustainability 157.4 (2004): 219-230. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 May
2012.

16. Questions?