MONKEYTOE EBOOK
Pedestrians, Cycling Bridges & Access Structures
Think back to the last time you crossed a pedestrian bridge over a beautiful stream, or took an access struc-ture to a stunning lookout spot. These structures served a practical purpose, sure, but they also had the potential to add beauty to how we experience an outdoor space. Aluminium is quickly becoming recognised as the mate-rial of choice for these types of structures, and for good reason. When it comes to pedestrian or cycling bridges and pub-lic access structures, aluminium is an excellent choice for those looking to minimise maintenance costs. While steel and wooden structures require regular maintenance to prevent corrosion and rot, respectively, aluminium is easy to work with, requires little to no maintenance, and can easily be installed. These come together for lower lifetime costs – and that can make it a very attractive option.
Aluminium for these applications offers unparalleled du-rability and versatility, reducing construction time and costs, enhancing safety, and promoting sustainability. So dive in and see how Monkeytoe utilises aluminium in ac-cess structures and solutions for good.
There are clear advantages when it comes to using aluminium for bridges and access structures for pedestrians. First and foremost, aluminium is light-weight. At around at third of the density of steel, aluminium structures are easy to transport, quick to install, and have lower foundation requirements. This can be a major advantage in remote loca-tions or in areas where heavy machinery cannot be used, and a fast installation is beneficial. The Graylees bridge project on the next page was transported to its final location via helicopter, effectively minimising on-site works at a remote location. For oth-er applications, modules are designed for rapid onsite assembly without any welding or resurfacing issues that are common with coated wood and steel structures using the DFMA methodolo-gy which Monkeytoe are familiar with. Aluminium solutions can be customised to fit the specific needs and aesthetic preferences of the project too. Alumin-ium structures don’t have to look like aluminium. While they can be left with a natural finish, they can also easily be painted or powder-coated to enhance their visual appeal.
Pedestrian bridges can be designed with timber rails and sidings, as showcased in the Opotiki and Graylees projects on the next page. This combination of materials not only creates a unique and aesthetical-ly pleasing design, but it also provides a safe and reliable pedestrian crossing. Timber accents can blend in seamless-ly with natural surroundings, making the bridge a visually pleasing addition to the environment, while the aluminium pro-vides a strong and durable structure, even in harsh marine environment. The deck-ing systems can likewise be selected from a range of aluminium, composite wood/recycled plastic or natural timber options.
Steel and wooden bridges require regular maintenance to prevent corrosion and rot, respectively. In contrast, aluminium bridges require little to no maintenance, resulting in lower lifecycle costs. Let’s look at two pedestrian bridges on the St. Lawrence River to show the contrast between steel and aluminium. The first one, made of aluminium, was built 18 years ago in Verdun on the Island of Montreal. The second bridge, made of steel and con-crete, was installed in Longueuil on the south shore in 1988. Despite facing the same climate and being designed for the same weight capacity, the steel bridge has need-ed regular maintenance, costing over $1M NZD in the last decade.[1] In comparison, the aluminium bridge has not required any maintenance. Aluminium has a history of being used for long lasting challenging applications with little or no maintenance. Some examples are the Arvida bridge (72 years) and the San Gioacchi-no Church roof and Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain which have been in service for more than 100 years.
ALUMINIUM IS A UNIQUE METAL WITH NUMEROUS ADVANTAGES FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AROUND 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today. It can be recycled multiple times without losing its mechanical, physical, or chemical properties. ONLY 5% of the energy needed to produce virgin aluminium is needed for Recycling it, making it an excellent choice for achieving NZ’s sustainability goals.
DESIGN, OUR EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS HAVE THE EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED TO DELIVER CUSTOMISED SOLUTIONS TAILORED TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS.
Choosing Monkeytoe for your aluminium bridge or access project has a multi-tude of benefits. One of the most significant advantages is our ability to pro-vide a comprehensive service.
Aluminium is an excellent choice for pedestrian bridges and access structures. Its durability, resistance to corro-sion, and minimal maintenance requirements make it a cost-effective option for those looking to minimise lifecycle costs, maximise sustainability and reduce installation impacts. Aluminium structures provide safe and durable solutions for outdoor spaces. With the ability to be customised and coated for aesthetic purposes, aluminium structures are a smart choice for those looking to add functionality and beauty to their outdoor spaces.
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