A simple arch structure, easy to build using

the maximum of locally sourced materials.

The bridge will provide access across the river

for foot traffic, bicycles and animals. The

bridge can be constructed at minimal cost, in

a short period of time by low levels of un-

skilled labour. It is a harmonious solutionskilled labour. It is a harmonious solution

that fits in with the local landscape, culture

and environment.

Bridge Deck Support

Saddle Detail 1Bridge Deck Support

Saddle Detail 2

Pedestrians,

cyclists

or

animals

Cables for stabilizing the

bridge deck..

The bridge is principally

composed of bamboo, using

rapidly renewable material

which can be locally sourced.

The bamboo must be dried

and treated with a

preservative solution to

provide a long structural

service life. The use of low

Materials & Labour Requirements (Estimated)

Main Structure Bamboo 300M linear

Woven bamboo for decking 700M linear

Steel Cables 130M linear

Steel Saddles 70 No.

150mm Diameter Steel Pipe 8M

Natural Twine/Rope for handrail 130m

Concrete pad abutments with cast-in steel

tubes to accept bamboo girders.

Connections to be grouted after insertion.

service life. The use of low

carbon materials may also

provide scope for embedded

carbon offsetting, credits for

which could be sold to

finance construction

Natural Twine/Rope for handrail 130m

Mortar 100kg(dry)

Concrete abutments 6M3

Aggregate Locally sourced

Bamboo Reinforcement for

abutments 20M Linear

Labourers (peak) 40 Persons

Construction Duration 4 Weeks

4 51

2

6 7

Plan showing old and

new bridges.

Section showing bridge deck.

Scale: 1:25 at A3

3

Notes about

the section:

8

Detail: Bamboo weave

is added after stage 6 to

create deck.

the section:

Width of the

deck is about

1.6m wide.

Headroom is

estimated to

be 2m.

Construction sequence:

1 & 2 – Arches

Connect bamboo to bamboo by steel bar and seal with

mortar. Jointed bamboo poles are stacked in layers with

pinning bolts. Pinned segments are filled with mortar tocreate deck. pinning bolts. Pinned segments are filled with mortar to

enhance compressive strength. Arches are formed to a

curve to create bridge shape.

3 – Dead-End Blocks & Abutments

Prepare bricks from local mud and sand. Stack the

bricks to form the formwork of the concrete dead-ends.

Insert steel pipe to accept bridge arches.

Masnory retaining wall to improve the abutments

stability and durability if necessary.

4 – Erection of arches

Prepare bamboo scaffoldings for the erection. Position

the arches within the abutment pipes. Grout joints with

mortar.

5 & 6 – Bracings and cables

Section showing new bridge and old bridge. The old bridge keeps its function

during the erection of the new bridge. The new bridge is higher than the old

bridge deck to reduce the risk of flood damage. Bamboo reinforced concrete

abutments are used to anchor and support the arch structure. A gravity retaining

wall is considered to cope with the steep nature slope and the additional loading

from the concrete block foundation of the bridge.

Sources: Based on example bridges by Jorg

Stamm and the IT Transport/DFID publication:

“Footbridges: A manual for Construction at

Community and District Level”

5 & 6 – Bracings and cables

Install bamboo bracing and then cable from the arches

down to the deck of the bridge.

7 & 8 – Deck and railing

Tie the bamboo weave to edges of bamboo deck rails

with ropes. Install the stabilizing cables.

Scale: 1:250 at A3