Aluminium bridges, aluminium bridge decks

Applications of aluminium have grown considerably in building and civil engineering the last decade. In building and civil engineering the increase of aluminium applications is due to various aspects like light weight, durability and maintenance, use of extrusions, and esthetics. The paper starts with a short history of aluminium bridges and then focuses on aluminium bridges in the Netherlands. The design of 58 bridges for an international contest in 1998 is dealt with, which was the beginning of renewed interest in aluminium bridges. As a result several aluminium traffic bridges and a number of pedestrian bridges were built. In 1999 a three year joint industry project was started which aims at further stimulating the use of aluminium bridges. Results of that project will be highlighted.