RAFTSUNDET BRIDGE IN LOFOTEN, NORWAY A World Record Concrete Cantilevered Bridge with Lightweight Concrete in the Main Span

摘要

The Raftsundet Bridge with a main span of 298 m will have the longest cantilevered concrete span in the world when the cantilevers join together in May/June 1998. Crossing a major shipping route between two Lofoten islands in Northern Norway, the structure is exposed to a severe wind climate with a design gust wind speed of almost 60 m/s. The alpine topography with high mountains creates turbulent dynamic wind forces, which severely affects the slender columns and bridge beam. Due to the local topography, the chosen span lengths are by traditional measures rather unbalanced, and this requirement is satisfied by using high strength, light weight concrete in most of the main span. This paper describes the design and construction of the bridge and focuses on the wind measurements, wind and earthquake loads, design strategy and durability.