e-mosty June 2018 American Bridges American Bridges | Page 47

The concrete slab, 225 mm, is supported by a grid
made of steel boxes in both directions. In the current
zone, the transverse boxes are rectangular, with a
width of 500 mm and a height of 900 mm.
The spar caissons have a trapezoidal shape, with a
base of 1200 mm and a height of 900 mm. The thrust
of the arches is transferred to the foundation by
concrete thrust blocks associated with the abutment.
This system is based on fifteen boxes of 1.80 m in
diameter anchored to the rock.
temporary transfer beams were installed at the ends
of the arches and connected by cables to balance the
thrust. The temporary supports were then removed,
arches loaded, and the structure was "slipped" on a
system of rails supported by river booms.
Once this operation was complete; the ends of the
arches were added, and the rail system was removed.
The structure was then lowered on its thrust blocks,
allowing the removal of the balancing cables and the
transfer blocks.
Once the central part of the structure - deck, arches
and lines were assembled on temporary supports,
THE PEACE BRIDGE
Project Team
It has become an instant icon of the city and has
vitalized the surrounding neighborhoods.
Architect: Santiago Calatrava LLC
It is crossed by about 6,000 people daily, including a
growing number of people using alternative modes of
transportation to their workplaces as well as
recreational users. The bridge is a popular spot for
photo shoots and has become one of the prime
meeting points in Calgary.
Structural Engineer: Santiago Calatrava LLC/Stantec
Consulting Ltd.
Project Manager / General Contractor: Graham
Infrastructure Ltd.
Erector: Norfab Mfg. (1993) Inc
The Peace Bridge spanning the Bow River in Calgary
has become a favorite with photographers since it
opened in May 2012.
Designed by world-renowned architect Santiago
Calatrava,
the
stunning
structure
is
a
pedestrian/cyclist bridge that connects the vibrant
neighborhoods of Sunnyside and Hillhurst to the city’s
downtown core.
2/2018
The bridge structure is a sleek helix-shaped steel truss
system developed over a semi-elliptical cross-section
in a single span of 126 meters. The deck is eight
meters wide to accommodate pedestrian lanes on
either side and a central bike lane separated by curbs.
The location of the bridge presented a design
challenge that made structural steel the ideal
solution. The Bow River at that point is about 120
meters wide and six meters deep.