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Understanding Fiberglass Pedestrian Bridge Dimension Options

Any bridge design naturally begins with the needed length and width.

by Bedford Reinforced Plastics

 

People researching pedestrian, equestrian, light-vehicle, and golf course bridges quickly discover the many benefits of using fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) rather than steel, aluminum, and wood. FRP doesn’t rust and corrode like steel, doesn’t dent like aluminum, and doesn’t rot, warp, or attract insects like wood. FRP bridges are also maintenance-free, helping to save significant operational costs over the long term. 

With an understanding of FRP material as the best choice for most bridge designs, we receive questions about bridge components and dimensions. To help you better understand the dimension options for a fiberglass pedestrian bridge, fiberglass trail bridges, and other FRP bridges, below is a look at real-life questions customers have asked before making their final selection. 

Any bridge design naturally begins with the needed length and width, so most questions we get take dimensions into consideration. Please reach out with your questions or call (814) 623-8125 anytime. In addition to the knowledgeable ReadySeries sales team, our staff includes Registered Professional Engineers who can provide specific data for your pedestrian, equestrian, light vehicle, or golf course bridge needs.

 

We need a pedestrian bridge that’s 50-feet long and 6-feet wide. It must support a weight of 90 pounds per square foot. Can an FRP bridge handle those dimensions? 

Absolutely. The maximum span of a fiberglass pedestrian bridge will vary depending on its intended use, location, and more, but for most applications, an FRP bridge can have a free span (no center pier needed) up to 100'

It’s great that you’re considering the load-bearing aspect of your bridge. Most people think about the weight of expected foot or light-vehicle traffic, but they often overlook other factors that can cause load stress. ReadySeries FRP pedestrian bridges are designed for live loads such as pedestrians, horses, and riders, ATVs, RTVs, golf carts, or an occasional single H5 emergency vehicle. In addition, they’re designed to handle environmental loads such as wind, seismic, and snow prescribed by the local building code and ASCE 7. Allowable Stress Design methodology is used in the design of our bridges to ensure load-bearing needs are met, and all ReadySeries pedestrian bridges undergo full-scale testing to validate predicted performance.

 

Everyone we’ve asked about our bridge design says a center pier will be required. Can you make a fiberglass pedestrian bridge that spans 125' without a center pier?

For that length, a pier will be required. An FRP bridge can have a free span up to 100'. However, the pier does not have to be perfectly centered. If you have an obstacle you need to work around or a particular feature, such as a creek, that you don’t want to disturb with a pier, our engineers can work with you to design a solution that will be both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.

 

We’re looking to build a pedestrian bridge that’s 70' long. We only need it to be 4' wide. Can you do that? 

We caution you against that. For a bridge span of 70', the minimum width should be 5'. This is because a bridge needs to be designed for a minimum length-to-width ratio to keep it from being too slender and unstable laterally. So we can absolutely help you with a fiberglass pedestrian bridge of 70', but our engineers (and most likely your local inspectors) will insist on a minimum width of 5'.

 

We want to build a trail bridge in our park for hikers and bikers. It will be in a very remote location and may occasionally need to handle ATVs. What should we be looking for? Do you have any examples of park bridges you can share?

FRP material is ideal for a park trail bridge. The lightweight and easy installation simplify transporting and installing an FRP bridge in remote locations. Some customers have chosen to have our bridges be partially or completely preassembled and then placed into position by crane or helicopter. And because FRP won’t rust, corrode, warp, or rot, you won’t have the expense of sending a maintenance team out year after year.

Even more, a fiberglass pedestrian bridge offers high strength. The bridge components in ReadySeries P-Series pedestrian bridges can handle both pedestrian and ATV loads. Our Registered Professional Engineers will also make sure all load-bearing needs are met, including the area’s climate considerations such as wind, seismic, and snow. Before installation, full-scale testing will be conducted to validate predicted performance of the bridge design.

Finally, aesthetics are important for a park trail bridge. You want a look that blends in with the environment. ReadySeries fiberglass trail bridges are available in brown and olive green, and the color won’t fade or peel off because it’s integrated into the components rather than brushed on. You won’t have to worry about the color deterioration or cracking like you’d get with a wooden bridge or the rust stains and corrosion you’d experience with a metal bridge. Take a look at the variety of ReadySeries pedestrian bridges installed in a wide range of location types, including the fiberglass trail bridge that replaced a failed steel bridge on the Tish Creek Trail in Cascade Locks, Oregon.

 

I feel confident that FRP is the right choice for my bridge structure, but what options do I have as far as the decking? I want to be sure this bridge will last a long, long time.

The decking on ReadySeries fiberglass pedestrian bridges is made with WearDeck™, a fiberglass-reinforced lumber that has a wood finish nearly indistinguishable from wooden bridges. Pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine is also available. Fasteners and anchor bolts are made with galvanized steel for long-term performance.

 

Always Here to Help

Dimensions. Loads. Applications. Whatever your question, our team can get you the answer and help design the ideal ReadySeries pedestrian bridge for your needs. If your bridge design is ready for a quote or in the early planning stages, give us a call at (814) 623-8125 to discuss your project.