Offenbach
New construction of the Carl-Ulrich Bridge
Offenbach, Germany / 10.2012 - 11.2015
The Carl-Ulrich Bridge connects Frankfurt am Main and Offenbach across the River Main. As an inner-city crossing over the Main, it plays a vital role in facilitating road, cycle and pedestrian traffic between the two towns. After decades of use, the existing bridge structure was replaced by a new bridge. PORR was commissioned to carry out the planning, dismantling and construction work.
Facts & Figures
Company
PORR GmbH & Co. KGaA
Type
Bridge construction
Runtime
10.2012 - 11.2015
Reconstruction of the Carl-Ulrich Bridge between Frankfurt and Offenbach
Dismantling of the existing structure
The existing composite bridge had reached the end of its intended service life and was completely demolished. The sections over the river were subjected to demolition using a floating crane, whilst the foreshore sections were demolished in parallel using mobile cranes. The steel structure of the existing bridge, excluding the deck, weighed around 770 t. The individual sections in the river section were excavated together with the deck and weighed around 230 t each. The dismantling was carried out in accordance with a project-specific demolition plan.
Construction of a new steel composite bridge
A new three-span composite steel bridge with a single-cell box girder cross-section and a parabolically cambered lower edge was constructed on the same site. The foundation consists of solid reinforced concrete piers.
As part of the new construction, the span of the central opening was extended to 112 m. The new bridge spans the River Main with three spans and integrates vehicular, pedestrian and cycle traffic on a single structure.
Construction in an inner-city environment
The works were carried out in confined spaces within a densely built-up urban area. With the exception of a four-week full closure, public road traffic was maintained throughout the runtime. The construction schedule had to be coordinated with the requirements of the traffic environment as well as with the works on and along the River Main.
New Main River Crossing between Frankfurt and Offenbach
The replacement project involved the construction of a new bridge along an existing route between Frankfurt and Offenbach. The project comprises dismantling, composite steel bridge construction and structural engineering works within an inner-city environment, and forms the basis for the future use of the Main River crossing by road, cycle and pedestrian traffic.
Technical data:
- Bridge class: 60/30
- Length: 61.4/112/61.4 m; total: 234.8 m
- Spans: 3 spans of continuous girders
- Cross-section: Single-cell composite cross-section
- Carriageway width: 8.00 m Footpaths and cycle paths: 2 x 3.00 m
- Total width: 14.00 m
- Structural height: 3.05 m (abutments), 5.05 m (piers)
- Standard construction: ZTV-ING Part 7
- Asphalt: 7.5 cm mastic asphalt
- Bearings: spherical sliding bearings on the piers and abutments
- Formwork area: approx. 3,400 m²
- Structural steel: 1,400 t
- Reinforcing steel: 860 to
- Structural concrete: 4,800 m³
- Bridge deck area: 3,273 m²
