Sustainability evaluation of butterfly web bridge

摘要

The authors developed the butterfly web bridge structure, an innovative bridge technology, to tackle the issues on lifespan extension, durability enhancement, high seismic resistance by reducing the weight and member size, and shortening of construction term. This bridge structure is characterized by the use of butterfly-shaped prefabricated prestressed high-strength, concrete panels for the webs. The butterfly web bridge seems to have a great advantage. However, the major issue is how to evaluate the advantage afforded by the innovative bridge technology that completely differs from conventional techniques. Sustainability thoughts is a solid foundation for such evaluation. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the performance of the butterfly web bridge from the standpoint of sustainability that consists of social, economic, and environmental aspects, thereby objectively evaluating the advantage of this innovative bridge technology. From the sustainability evaluation, it is concluded that the butterfly web bridge developed to meet a wide variety of complicated requirements is superior than conventional structures from the social, economic, and environmental aspects and also an innovative structure with high sustainability can be created through a comprehensive development approach involving design/execution methods in consideration of all sustainability elements.