Cala Galdana Bridge


The Cala Galdana Bridge is a steel arch bridge over Algendar Creek on the island of Menorca, Spain. It is the first vehicular bridge constructed in duplex stainless steel.
In 2003 its owner decided to replace the existing structurally deficient, reinforced concrete bridge due to severe corrosion and settlement in one of its supports. The total length of the bridge is, and its main span is long.

Description

The bridge consists of two parallel arches with a free span of and an intermediate deck. The arches rise to a total of with a span-rise ratio of 7:5, and attach to the deck with two connected longitudinal beams. The arches have a triangular cross-section, with a central web. Their depth is, constant through their length; the width of each section varies between.7 and 1 meter. The longitudinal beams are rectangular hollow sections 1 x.5 meters and plates with varying thicknesses between and. In the central zone the beams have a central web connected to the web of the arch, allowing transfer of the vertical load of the longitudinal beam to the arch. Two struts avoid horizontal reaction on the abutments.
The main structure weighs and is made of duplex stainless steel with a grade of 1.4462, which exhibits a high resistance to corrosion by chlorides. The deck is made of reinforced concrete, connected to a series of transverse beams.
It was completed at a cost of Є2.6 million.

Construction

Construction was begun by Ferrovial in October 2004, and completed in early June 2005.