Milestone in pioneering research on movable bridges

Unique test rig ready

The research by engineering and consultancy firm Antea Group, Rijkswaterstaat and the Province of South Holland into the service life of movable bridges reaches a milestone June 27. A unique test rig will then be opened at TU Delft. This setup makes it possible to test theoretical calculations in practice for the first time.

The Netherlands has hundreds of movable bridges. The status of the mechanical equipment is crucial in determining whether a bridge should be renovated or replaced. This requires a reassessment of the existing movement equipment. This part is a major struggle for many managers since the theoretical calculation rules we use do not seem to follow practice. As a result, movement works may be replaced unnecessarily (early).

More security, less cost

Antea Group, together with TU Delft, Rijkswaterstaat and Provincie Zuid-Holland, is investigating the dynamics and structural safety of movable bridges. This research is leading to a more realistic model to assess the lifespan of movable bridges. This model is expected to offer major social and financial benefits. With it, bridge movement mechanisms can be maintained cost-consciously without compromising safety. Sonja Riesen, Movable Bridges project manager: "With this research, we are working to develop and apply sustainable solutions in our living environment. In addition, the research fits well with our ambition to be among the top in the Netherlands in the field of movable bridges."

Testing models in practice

The doctoral research of Kodo Sektani, Antea Group engineer, already resulted in new theoretical models that can be used to predict the loads of bridge movement mechanisms in various situations. Sektani: "Now it is a matter of verifying and validating the models. As of 2018, I am working with fourteen sponsors on a test rig capable of answering the question of what forces a movement mechanism faces and how all the mechanical parts interact."