Urban Bridges-Latest Experiences in Andalusia

Alejandro CASTILLO Manuel ESCAMILLA Gonzalo OSBORNE

Director/Assoc. Professor Civil Eng./Assoc. Professor Civil Engineer
ACL/University of Granada ACL/University of Cadiz ACL
Cadiz/Granada, Spain Cadiz, Spain Cadiz, Spain
acl@acl-estructuras.com mescamilla@acl-estructuras.com gosborne@acl-estructuras.com

Carlos CALLEJA Guillermo MONTERO Francisco J. RAMIREZ

Civil Engineer Civil Engineer Project Draftsman
ACL ACL ACL
Cadiz, Spain Cadiz, Spain Cadiz, Spain
ccalleja@acl-estructuras.com gmontero@acl-estructuras.com fjramirez@acl-estructuras.com

Summary
Andalusia, the southern region of Spain, has an ancient history, magnificent monuments and a
prolific culture. This region has developed an ambitious infrastructure improving plan, concerning
every facility and mean of transport. Bridges have a preeminent role in all of these interventions,
and their design needs to deal, in a very conscious way, with a rich natural environment and with an
outstanding cultural heritage that configure the historic patrimony of the area. For all these reasons,
it is appealing to analyse how to develop a bridge project in such an attractive and, at the same time,
sensitive environment, especially in urban areas where the conjunction of nature and cultural
heritage takes place. The study of a few representative examples is tackled, focusing in the key
aspects involved in the achievement of a successful project, not only respecting the surrounding
conditions, but also increasing the objective and subjective value of the place.
Keywords: Andalusia, urban bridge, Maro, urban footbridges, cable-stayed, Dragon Bridge.

1. Introduction-Basis of design
Which must be the characteristics of an urban bridge? The answer to this question may lead to a
controversial discussion, in which many different and almost certainly opposite points of view
would arise. Probably, as Javier Manterola pointed out [1] it would be easier to achieve an
agreement about how an urban bridge
must not be, rather than how it should be.
Nowadays, the evolution of technologies
and the economic develop experimented
by many areas have supported the
proliferation of urban infrastructures, and
bridge design is immersed in a constant
worldwide contest to achieve the most
innovative and impressive piece.
Modern times have proportioned an
unknown formal freedom to the design
of bridges, especially patent in urban
areas, and as J. Schlaich wrote, not
always for the better [2].
With the technical advances in software
and hardware, sophisticated calculus can
Fig. 1: Maro Cable-Stayed Footbridge. ACL be carried out almost instantly, and this
is occasioning dissociation between
formal (conceptual) design and structural design. This phenomenon, when occurs, implies the
consideration of the outer (visible) shape as a totally independent matter, around which all the
project must revolve, considering it as the most important issue. Thus, a decontextualization of the
bridge itself in all ways is commonly taking place: structural behaviour, geotechnical conditions,
construction procedures or materials availability are subjects unfairly subdued or even forgotten
when the formal design is developed, and usually no changes can be further made to the predefined
outer shape of the bridge in order to optimize the strength features, the flux of forces or the
constructive feasibility of the bridge. In worst cases, this decontextualization affects even the
natural, social, urban and economic boundary conditions of the bridge, that is to say that the bridge
loses all of its meaning: in these cases, bridges are designed as isolated entities, and placed
wherever they first geometrically fit, with minor adjustments. Structural engineering is not (almost
not yet) a serial productive industry, but maybe all bridges would be this way soon available by
catalogue.
As discuss in [2] the extraordinary progress of the technical tools at disposal represent a unique
opportunity to develop creative designs, being honest with the cultural responsibility as structural
designers and urban dynamistic agents. The “ancient” ages, when the structural assessments
required all the engineers’ effort have passed by, almost in the predominating medium size bridges,
to which the technological advances have implanted, in Juan J. Arenas words [3], a radical
“democracy”. Structural engineering has experienced indeed a worldwide expansion, but generally
engineers are more concerned to demonstrate that everything is possible rather than logical.
These generic considerations can be applied to urban bridges in Andalusia. However, in this area
more than in others, the historic, social and natural environments acquire transcendental importance,
because of the antique and rich heritage left by three millenniums of history and the biodiversity of
the ecosystems. Such sensitive border conditions deserve an additional effort not only to be
respectful with them but also to enrich and provide the backbone of the urban sustainable
development. To achieve these goals, it is very important to get to know the chronicle and evolution
of the site and its surroundings, the history of the previous bridges built (if any), the character and
expectations of the society. Only this way leads to a successful design: planned from a holistic point
of view, the urban bridge is a very powerful generator of new opportunities, an equilibrator of
unequal areas. Otherwise, the structure could even be a disruption, a bizarre unwanted guest.
However, these conditions may not cause fear to err or shyness to the bridge designer; there is no
need for more monotonous or even copycat designs. The challenges described must be potent
motivators instead, leading to ambitious and courageous conceptual designs that would be
deserving of admiration for future generations. Learning lessons from existing masterpieces, being
respectful and understanding with the place, the society and their needs, knowing the state-of-the-
art and using out-to-date technical tools, there are no limits.
ACL Estructuras is a structural design company which is developing its work since 1997. In this
paper, diverse urban bridges designed by this firm in Andalusia are presented and analyzed, not
only to describe their features but also to discuss them and generate further debate.

2. Footbridge at Espejo (Cordoba)

Fig. 2: Espejo Footbridge. ACL and OSBORNE (art view)

Espejo is a village near Cordoba, located at its eastern countryside. Founded by Iberians and later
occupied by Romans, Goths and Muslims, its ancient history is full of important events: the Munda
Battle, in which Julius Caesar troops defeated Pompeii’s army took place (probably) in its
surroundings. This village is composed by small white houses built in a hillside crowned by a castle
(see Fig. 2). Recent urban planning involved the construction of urban equipments downhill, like
outdoor and indoor sport fields, in a location separated from the town by the N-433 roadway.
In order to provide the needed pedestrian accessibility to the new sport facilities, a footbridge over
the roadway has been designed in a very visible and picturesque site, near the main accesses to the
village. ACL Estructuras, working together
with OSBORNE Consulting Group, carried
out the conceptual design and construction
project of a three spans (30 m + 15 m + 26
m) continuous composite steel-concrete
bridge, with helical reinforced concrete
access ramps. The main objective pursued
by the proposed design was to build not
only a functional structure, but a new urban
collective space, attractive to use and even
enjoy, day and night.
A curve composite box girder with variable
Fig. 3: Espejo Footbridge. Perspective (art view) depth (from 0,65 m to 1,20 m), integrally
connected to two inclined steel box piers
and simply supported at the abutments (access ramps) was selected. Longitudinally, the layout is
also curve, according to the variable terrain below and achieving the necessary vertical clearances
above the road. The curve geometry dominates the landscape (hills, roadways, curve roof of the
sport facilities), so it was necessary a curve arrangement to fit in.
The access ramps, often disregarded in
footbridges, were carefully analyzed
because of the importance they have to
shape an attractive and useful infrastructure.
Helical reinforced concrete slabs,
connected to vertical inner diaphragm walls
were used to configure the access (see Fig.
4), following a conceptual design used
before to the Maro Footbridge (described
later). The slope of the ramp is reduced at
corners and some covered stretches are
provided, in order to configure a friendly-
to-use access both for pedestrians and
disabled persons, and both in sunny and
rainy days. The 360 degrees views of the
landscape, at different heights provided by
Fig. 4: Access ramps and inner stairs (art view) the ramps, make them appealing to be used
as balconies.

3. Albox Cable-Stayed Bridge (Almeria)

This singular road bridge is already being constructed to save the Albox River course, in this
northern village of Almeria. Albox was founded by Arabs, but very old archaeological rests have
been discovered in the surroundings areas. This town played an important role during the Reino de
Granada period (XIV-XV centuries).
The new bridge will have a total length of 111,5 meters distributed in 3 spans 23 m + 64 m + 24,5 m.
A 13,50 m-wide and 1,35 m-thick continuous prestressed concrete deck will house a 2 lane roadway
(with interior and exterior hard shoulders) and pedestrian lateral walks, and it has been designed in
order to provide a new access to the town centre and a new walkway over the river.
The layout of cable stays is characterized by a single central plane of cables with 6 stays at the main
 span (64 m) and 3 at the side span
(24,50 m). Cable stays are configured
by 30 to 42 strands. The pylon is 27
m-height and the withheld stays are
anchored to the second abutment. The
closed three-cellular cast-in-place
cross section of the deck gives the
needed torsional stiffening to face the
asymmetrical loads. The deck is being
constructed using formwork, thanks
to the relative low elevation of the
bridge, so the construction of the
pylon can be developed independently.
As can be seen in Fig. 5, the
connection between the pylon and the
substructure is not rigid; instead of
that, structural bearings isolate the
superstructure, in order to reduce the
Fig. 5: The pylon nowadays (March 2010) forces transmitted to the foundations
and face the important seismic action
to be considered.
This bridge is a key infrastructure to develop the southern area of the town, modern, young and
active district whose inhabitants claimed to a solution to their mobility problems and also to their
public areas demands. Satisfy this requirements, complying at the same time with strict economic
restrictions (with a 3.000.000 Euros of maximum budget) were the challenged faced.
The dry (almost deserted) and sandy landscape provides an adequate environment to use cast-in-
place concrete at the visible surfaces, and the erection of the pylon will mean a new milestone,
making visible the access to the town in the horizontal surroundings.

Fig. 6: Albox Cable-Stayed Bridge (art view, ACL)

4. New Bridge over the Guadaira River (Seville)
Alcala de Guadaira is a three-millennium old city, located at the surrounding of Seville. With 60000
inhabitants and a very important industrial development, this booming urban area required
improvements in a restricted accessibility,
due to the hills and the Guadaira River.
This singular structure was conceived to
promote the urban development of the
city and equilibrate both river shores,
providing also an access to the new
riverside public park. Known as “the
Castle Guardian”, the conceptual design
was carried out by AYESA Consultant,
and ACL Estructuras developed the
construction structural project.
The bridge, already constructed, has a
continuous total length of 123 meters
divided in 4 spans of 18,5 m + 2 x 43 m
+ 18,5 m. Its figurative shape, with an
arched geometry, simulates a dragon
Fig. 7: Structure at the first pier, once concreted body with a 4 m-thick and 2 m-wide
ovoid reinforced concrete cross section
(see Fig. 7). The deck is a reinforced concrete slab with transverse prestressing, rigidly connected to
the arches, and with a variable depth from 0,25 m (overhangs) to 1,21 meters (structure axis). The
structure has a 4 lane roadway (with interior and exterior hard shoulders) and pedestrian lateral
walks.
The inner structure of the dragon body
was carefully analyzed. It is rigidly
connected to the deep foundations and
the deck slab, and simply supported by
elastomeric bearings at both abutments.
Thus, creep, shrinkage and thermal
effects were key aspects, and the crack
distribution and widths were deeply
studied. Self-compacting concrete was
used due to the complex geometry and
the high density of reinforcements and
prestressing tendons.
The natural and urban environment of
the bridge is really outstanding, with the
Arab castle upwards, the river and the
white houses in the hillside. The
originality of the solution adopted is out
of the doubt, and the conscious treatment
given to the access and surroundings
Fig. 8: New Bridge over the Guadaira River. Aerial helped to fit the infrastructure inside
view (AYESA and ACL) such a unique landmark.
5. Maro Cable-Stayed Footbridge (Malaga)
This structure was constructed to provide
a crosswalk to pedestrians above the new
Mediterranean Highway and the old
National Road between Nerja (Malaga)
and La Herradura (Granada). This cable-
stayed footbridge has a 46,50 meters
main span and a 20 m side span, with a
single 40 m-high inclined pylon of
hollow variable steel section.
The composite steel-concrete deck has a
constant depth of 1,23 m and a 4 m
width, being supported at the pylon and
abutments.
The main span is sustained by three bar
Fig. 9: Maro Cable-Stayed Bridge. General view stays (40 and 25 mm diameter) separated
11 m and anchored to the pylon. The
withheld stays are anchored from the pylon to the second abutment. They are all distributed in just
one inclined and eccentric plane at one side of the deck, wich leads to singular torsion effects.
The access ramps are similar to those designed to the Espejo Footbridge, and the authors are really
satisfied by its final layout. As can be seen in Fig. 10, clear spaces, care treatment of the formwork
and additional gardening works have configured an integrated and modern urban space.

Fig. 10: Maro Cable-Stayed Bridge. Access ramp (ACL)

6. References
[1] MANTEROLA J., “Puentes en glorietas circulares situadas en ciudades”, Ingenieria y
Territorio, No. 65, 2003, p.61.
[2] SCHLAICH J., “Variety in Bridge Design”, Spanish Group of IABSE, Trends in Bridge
Design, Barcelona, 2000, pp. 68-99.
[3] ARENAS J.J., Caminos en el aire: Los puentes, Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales
y Puertos, Madrid, 2002, p. 19.