Spatial Arch Bridges Over the Galindo and Bidasoa Rivers

Two pioneering spatial arch bridges, the Galindo River Bridge and the Endarlatsa Bridge in Spain, demonstrate innovative structural solutions by incorporating warped geometries that curve both in plan and elevation. Unlike traditional planar arches, these bridges use curved decks supported by upper or lower arches, creating a unique aesthetic and functional approach. The study highlights distinct strategies to manage out-of-plane forces: auxiliary cables in the Galindo bridge and a tailored distribution of transverse stiffness with specific deck support conditions in the Endarlatsa bridge. These designs represent groundbreaking advancements in arch bridge engineering, offering both structural efficiency and architectural appeal.

Manterola, J., Gil, M. Á., & Muñoz-Rojas, J. (2011). Spatial Arch Bridges Over the Galindo and Bidasoa Rivers. Structural Engineering International, 21(1), 114–121. https://doi.org/10.2749/101686611x12910257102794