Pontresina Bridge

The Pontresina Bridge is an all-FRP composites pedestrian bridge crossing the Flaz creek in Pontresina that is located in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 1790 ra. The bridge is only temporary, as it is used only during the winter for ski touring. 

The conceptual design of the bridge resulted from three main constraints at that time (i) the low clearance above water that required a load-carrying structure above the walkway, (ii) the annual cycles of installation/removal, and (iii) the available pultruded GFRP shapes provided by the manufacturer (Fiberline Composites, Denmark). The choice of GFRP materials was based mainly on their low selfweight for the installation and removal cycles, and the expected low to zero maintenance [14]. 

The pultruded GFRP profiles consisted of E-glass fibers embedded in an isophthalic polyester resin. The environmental exposition of the GFRP profiles corresponds to a typical alpine cHmate. The mean annual temperature is approximately 4°C with maximum values of approximately 25 °C in the summer and a minimum of—20° C in winter. The aruiual hours of sunshine are approximately 1700 and the average annual rainfall is 1000 mm. The alpine location exposes the white colored bridge to high UV radiation. A layer of dense snow normally covers the walkway [14]. 

However, as a temporary pedestrian bridge, no certain fire resistance were required, therefore, no specific fire safety considerations were made. 

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Light weight leads to significant cost savings, fast deployment (Fig. 4.33), and removable structures hke the Pontresina bridge (Fig. 4.34)... 

Pontresina bridge in Switzeriand (project and picture http //www. kuenzie.hbt.arch.ethz.ch). 

Figure l.S Pontresina bridge (a) during winter and (b) during summer [14]. (With permission from ASCE.)... 

Figure 1.6 One span of Pontresina Bridge removed by a helicopter [15]. (With permission from Elsevier.)...

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