Title:
The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge Across the River Barrow, New Ross, Ireland
Author(s):
Ayuso
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
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DOI:
Date:
10/23/2022
Abstract:
The design and construction of the RFK Bridge across the River Barrow is being presented. The bridge is 887 (2910 ft) long including a four-span and three-tower extrados bridge with equal 230 m (755 ft) long main spans. The structure is impressive in scale and slenderness. It holds multiple records, including the longest concrete extradosed spans in the world and, during construction, the longest balanced cantilever for concrete deck extradosed bridges in the world. The three towers have different heights: the central tower is slightly higher but only 27 m (89 ft) tall, and the lateral ones are 16 m (52 ft); while the deck has deck slenderness of L/65 at midspan, L/35 at the lateral towers, and L/27 at the central support. The bridge blends into the gentle hilly landscape of the southeast of Ireland, minimizing the visual and environmental impact on the Barrow. Its asemmetry and slenderness provide an iconic, distinctive profile that has already become a symbol of engineering ingenuity. The deck, of a single box with the appearance of closed cross section, blending in-place cast and precast elements, consciously designed as a full concrete deck to minimize maintenance, carries a dual motorway and ensures safe fluvial ship traffic crossing the river with a vertical clearance of 36 m (118 ft).