Steel pedestrian bridge: design adequacy and vibrations

Stock photo

Wales, United Kingdom

The structural design of a steel pedestrian bridge serving a Network Rail station attracted criticism following a substantial post‑tender steel quantity increase, putting the adequacy of tender design at issue.

For the purposes of this matter, I was asked to trace the material quantity increases and examine the adequacy of the tender design of the steel bridge. This work included an independent design check and dynamic assessment (footfall vibrations) with the aid of a finite element model of the structure, against Network Rail performance criteria and other applicable standards.