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Category 2: Civil Structures
Introduction
The movable road bridge at Gouda is built to cross over
the Hollandsche Ijssel. The bridge is a part of the project
‘construction of the south-east ring road”, aimed at
achieving a better and easier road to Krimpenerwaard
and decreasing the traffic in the centre of Gouda. The
bridge is also called the ‘Gouderakse brug’.
The bridge has the span of 30 m and is of the
drawbridge type. The bridge is powered by two heavy
jacks situated under the bridge deck. The bridge is
balanced by ballast situated in the back of 2 peak arms,
each supported by 1 tower. The bridge deck is hung up
on the end of the arms by a tension bar. The arms have
the total length of 40 m and are characterised by their
peak and sharp forms.
The total weight of the bridge is 400 tonnes. That weight
is balanced by 480-tonne ballast.
The bridge deck is built upside down. A special lifting
procedure was foreseen to turn the 230-tonne heavy
bridge deck afterwards.
Description of technical questions to be resolved
with Scia Engineer
Scia Engineer was used both for the dimensioning
of the bridge in the traffic situation and the erection
engineering of the bridge.
The complete 3D model was formed with bars, even
the orthotropic deck plate, divided into longitudinal and
cross girders with an equivalent stiffness and adopted
mass. Correct modellisation of the mass was very
important because of the balancing of the bridge.
From the engineering point of view, this project has
several challenges.
First, there were the different states of the bridge to be
studied. The possibility of creating different states of
the bridge in one model was a big advantage towards
calculation of the bridge. With the automatic steel code
check (EC) of Scia Engineer it was possible to check
all members in all states in one calculation model. This
gave an important gain in calculation / optimisation of
the structure in the different states.
Third, the use of graphical sections with different
material properties to model the exact weight of the
bridge into the different states of the bridge. The input
of complex forms for the arms and towers was possible
thanks to the use of graphical sections.
Fourth, the calculation of eigenvalues / frequencies
of the bridge in order to check if there were risks of
vibration under wind loads.
Fifth, for the erection engineering the different
construction stages had to be examined.
Description of how our experience with
Scia Engineer proved its completeness
• Dimensioning a 3D structure in different states.
• The possibility of using and combining the results of
Scia Engineer in a flexible way.
• The use of graphical sections with different section
properties.
• Stability calculation and second order calculations.
• Calculation of eigenvalues.
This project proves the great diversity of Scia Engineer
in checking the structure and the use of materials.
Modules used:
• Base
• 3D frame
• Steel code check (EC)
• Stability
• Dynamics
“Gouderakse Brug” Movable Road Bridge - Krimpenerwaard Gouda, The Netherlands
Software: Scia Engineer
