New prefabricated bridge combines elegance and functionality

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Special concrete from Rauter guarantees lean construction: Wood or steel?

In the end, concrete proved to be the better material for the new footbridge across the Wölzerbach creek in Lower Austria/Styria. Elegant look, longer life and fast usability within a few hours supported this solution of the Rauter Fertigteilbau GmbH.

„We are pleased that in this wood region of Murau concrete could show its advantages. This particular showpiece proves our apparent competency on site. The fact that the bridge was produced in our facility only a few hundred meters away creates a special link“ the manager of Rauter Fertigteilbau GmbH Dipl.-Ing. Wilfried Klade comments the construction in the course of flood control measures.

Concrete: a special construction material

The bridge fits elegantly into the village and the slim silhouette pleases the eye. A cross section of the bridge with ist height of only 70 centimeters and a span of n 24,5 m – how is that possible? The answer: with 14 m³ high.-performance concrete from Rauter, a preload and a special static system. Calculated for pedestrians and snow plough, the total weight was only 36 tons. It was delivered by a special semi- trailer, fit in with a 400-ton crane in less than 20 minutes and after the assembly of the railing it was immediately walkable. Within a few hours the people from Niederwölz could enjoy their new gem.

Evident constructional advantages of a concrete bridge

Concrete enables spans with slim construction. A conventional construction with concrete, wood or steel would require a height of 1,86m and thus would be three times higher – with a massive impact on the view.

The low maintenance costs also speak for a concrete solution. There is no need for re-painting, like for instance in the case of steel bridges.Dipl.-Ing. Klade: „The life-cycle, the comparable costs but also the short construction times favor precast concrete solutions. Our innovative construction enables different types of bridges of different lengths and load bearing requirements. We are looking forward to follow-up orders.“

The Rauter Fertigteilbau GmbH is over 60-years old and specializes on the production and assembly of precast concrete elements. The enterprise is part of Kirchdorfer Industries and offers interesting individual solutions such as the fire escape staircases at the Gasometer campus, the cupola for the Alpen Therme Gastein spa and even wine tanks made of concrete.