Bridges - Buro Happold

Baakenhafen Brucke WestHamburg, GermanyThe Baakenhafen Brucke West will form an importantnew link into the major new harbour developmentin Hamburg. Comprising three traffic lanes within its21m width, it will also have cycle lanes and undulatingcantilever walkways providing a fluid form along bothsides and terraces with seating. The bridge will havethree spans and is a total of 164m in length. Unusually itincorporates a 30m long lift out section in its centre thatcan be removed by barge should there be a future needfor large vessels to pass through.Buro Happold have undertaken the full detailedengineering design of the bridge. The superstructureis a steel orthotropic plate deck on a ladder beamarrangement of transverse ribs connecting to ageometrically complex varying depth stiffened steelbox girders. The substructure consists of traditionalconcrete abutments at each end with intermediate piersthat will be formed from precast concrete shells loweredover bored under-reamed piles. Advanced analyticalmethods were required in order to undertake the designand great care was taken in the development of thebridge detailsThe project was won via an international designcompetition by a team comprising a joint venture ofBuro Happold and Wilkinson Eyre at the end of 2011.The construction phase commenced in May 2012Key project informationClientHafen City HamburgArchitect Wilkinson EyreProject Value €12mDate Due for completion in 2013Services Provided by Buro HappoldBridge Capability StatementBridge engineering, mechanical and electrical design,construction supervision8