CSub, an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) supplier of composite products and solutions, has successfully delivered a bridge made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) to the Paradis city train station in Bergen, Norway.
Paradis G/S-bridge will be the longest of its kind in the world. This bridge consists of fiberglass and carbon fiber. The bridge is 7 meters wide and 42 meters long and will improve the situation for pedestrians and cyclists and increase traffic safety at the crossing point of the road and light rail.
Vestland County Municipality, along with consulting firm A4 and FiReCo, is involved in the project. The main contractor is Consto, with production by CSUB. Transportation is handled by Royal Transport.
Building an Innovative Composite Bridge in Bergen
Paradis bridge is under construction over County Road 582 in Paradis, Bergen. The bridge is 7.1 meters wide and 42.5 meters long and is being built with fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP).
Calculating the Properties of the Composite Structure
FiReCo, advisor on the project, has provided engineering services in construction and analysis of composite structures since 1991. Alf Egil Jensen, composite advisor at the company, noted: "Instead of classic steel trusses, where rods are bolted or welded together, we make a large mold where we cast the bearing truss on the sides in one piece." No truss bridge has ever been built in composite in this way, requiring a new production method.
Calling for Standards and Manuals
Jensen says they followed a Dutch standard and DNV's standard C501 Composite Components along with handbook N400. A new Eurocode standard addressing composite is coming in 2026.
"The advantages of composite are that the material is virtually maintenance-free. When the bridge is fully cast and assembled, it will stand for 100 years without maintenance. This provides significant environmental benefits throughout the bridge's lifespan." – Alf Egil Jensen
Source: csub-bridges.com
