European Steel Bridge Awards 2024
The European Steel Bridge Awards are given by ECCS every two years to encourage the creative and outstanding use of steel in construction of bridges.
The objective is to give European recognition to steel and composite bridges emphasizing the various advantages of steel in construction, production, economy, sustainability, and architecture, and to attract the interest of clients, architects and engineers in using more steel within the bridge construction sector, thereby making the steel industry more competitive.
The Awards are open to steel and composite bridges of which steel structures were designed or fabricated in the ECCS Full Member countries primarily. If the project is multinational, it can also be submitted in accordance with the submission procedure.
Two main categories of bridges are awarded:
1. Road / Railway bridges
2. Cycle / Pedestrian bridges
In addition, the jury may grant Special Awards, such as:
• Sustainable bridges (e.g. low maintenance, low life cycle cost),
• Concepts such as floating bridges,
• Refurbishment of an existing bridges (major retrofit, expansion or rehabilitation or partial replacement) using steel,
• Creative design and realisation.
The professional jury 2024 was composed of:
- Dr. Bernhard HAUKE, Chairman of Promotional Management Board of ECCS;
- Prof. Pavel RYJÁČEK, Czech Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Chairman of the ECCS Bridge Committee;
- Prof. Frantisek WALD, President of ECCS;
- Dr. Ing. arch. Karel HÁJEK, Atelier Karek;
- Dr. Ing. Marek FOGLAR, Metrostav a.s.
On 11th June 2024, the Professional Jury met in the Czech Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering in order to select the winners of the 2024 European Steel Bridge Awards. Among 16 projects received from all over Europe, one winner per category was elected by the Jury and was awarded during the 2024 ESBA Ceremony of 12th September 2024 in Prague in the frame of the 11th International Symposium On Steel Bridges 2024.
The winners are:
Road and Railway Bridges ESBA2024 - Laureate:
U81 Brücke Nordstern, Düsseldorf, Germany (submitted by Austria)
© MCE GmbH
The ARGE was commissioned by the LHS Düsseldorf in May 2020 to build the U 81 Nordstern Bridge. The construction of the U 81 route will connect the FH Düsseldorf to the light rail network, enhancing public transportation. The bridge follows a large 90° curve with a radius of 225 meters over the A 44 and the B 8. This 6-span bridge, spanning 441 meters, was constructed using the incremental launching method. The largest span of 82 meters is located over the A 44 highway. The launches were carried out using a 40-meter-long precast segmental span. The structure is a truss bridge with roadway decks connected to both sides of the bottom chord.
The bridge is an engineering masterpiece combining contemporary design and construction methods to achieve a unique and beautiful structure for public transport in the dense urban situation above the existing motorways.
The jury members also appreciated the solutions to the challenges resulting from the horizontal curve by the unconventional central truss girder, that perfectly fits the surrounding landscape and emphasises the importance of modern public transportation.
Cycle and Pedestrian Bridges ESBA2024 - Laureate:
Footbridge over Vistula river, Warsaw, Poland
© Mostostal Kraków S.A.
The Bridge to Praga was built in Warsaw. Construction of the building started in early 2022 and was completed in 26 months. It is the first pedestrian and bicycle bridge in Poland with a length of 452 metres, the bridge measures 16.3 metres at its widest point and 6.9 metres wide at its narrowest point.
The footbridge combines in an excellent way the engineering quality of the long-span bridge, and also the beautiful aesthetical and architectural form, creating a precious jewel on the Vistula River. The harmonic appearance goes well with the readable structural form.
The jury members appreciated the opportunities provided to everyone to stroll on the bridge and spend time admiring the splendid Warsaw panorama and the stunning river.
The simple and clear shape is perfect for maintenance.
Special Bridge Award ESBA2024 - Special Design:
Sky Bridge 721 / The world's longest suspension footbridge, Kralicky Sneznik mountains, Czech Republic
© Sneznik a.s.
Sky Bridge 721 offers enchanting views surrounded by pure nature. It opens up an unprecedented journey between heaven and earth, and at its highest point, visitors are 95 metres above ground. It was featured on the cover page of Time magazine as one of the World's Gratest Places of 2022 to explore.
Sky Bridge 721 is located in the Kralicky Sneznik mountains at an altitude of about 1100 m above sea level and spans the valley of the Mlynsky Potok. It is a unique engineering project in the Czech Republic, with its length of 721 metres it takes the lead as the longest footbridge in the world.
The footbridge offers enchanting views of Mlýnský Creek Valley surrounded by pure nature. It is a very fine example of how engineering challenges can be solved and how ideas can be transferred into the practice.
It is a unique engineering project as the longest footbridge in the world, promoting steel as the main material for long-span bridges.
The jury members appreciated the opportunities and potential to attract people to nature and enjoy the stunning views.
Special Bridge Award ESBA2024 - Heritage:
Chemnitz Viaduct, Germany
© KREBS+KIEFER Ingenieure GmbH
The Chemnitz Viaduct railway bridge, built between 1901 and 1909, is located in the Chemnitz railway arch as part of the so-called Saxony-Franconia-Magistrale.
Due to identified structural weaknesses and the poor condition of the existing structure, the approx.
275 m long and 17.50 m wide Chemnitz viaduct was technically repaired, upgraded and partially replaced for modern railway transport under the conditions of monument protection.
After an intensive planning and construction phase, the structure was officially reopened in new glory on 8. September 2024.
The Chemnitz Viaduct is an excellent example of the combination of preserving the heritage structure and the use of the latest science, design and execution techniques for the use of modern parts and renovation of the existing elements for the railway traffic for the upcoming century.
The jury members appreciated the significant effort of the bridge owner to preserve the style of the original iconic bridge as well as the engagement of the local community
Nota bene:
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Professor J.M. ROTTER was born in Chesterfield, England and graduated at Cambridge University when he was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to study in Australia. He got a PhD in civil engineering from the University of Sydney. His main specialty is the Buckling of Shells.
Jouko KOUHI is expert in Connections, welding, stability and fatigue of steel structures. He has been an active member of various ECCS Technical Committees since 1979, working on ENV 1993 part 1.8 from 1999 to 2002.
Frans BIJLAARD, Professor of steel structures at the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences at Delft University of Technology. His main specialties are on stability of steel structures, structural behaviour of joints in steel structures and design of greenhouses.
The involvement of Professor Jean Pierre MUZEAU in Education and his strong motivation in promoting the use of steel in construction over his career have to be underlined. He has been qualified as “Passeur de Connaissances” (Ndt : conveyor of knowledge) by the Members of the Jury who have underlined his prominent role among the young generations of civil engineers.
Prof. Joachim LINDNER got a 40-year academic career and extensive experience in civil engineering from lateral torsional buckling through contact splices, historical grey cast iron columns, fatigue behaviour, stability design of glass-beams, scaffolding design, crane girders, plate buckling problems, composite beams and columns, corrugated webs, connection problems and imperfection regulations. He signed around 220 publications.
Professor Reidar BJORHOVDE has an impressive academic background, including two Ph.D. in the area of Civil Engineering, and a remarkable professional career which includes several years as a Professor in various universities in North America. He also been the Director of Bjorhovde Group since 1998.
Professor Carlo URBANO has been active on ECCS committee “Stability of steel structures” since 1975. He has been also present on CEN, IABSE, SSRC committees. Graduated at the Politecnico di Milano in 1963, he dedicated his career to the “Strength of Materials”. He developed scientific research mainly on the general theory of elasticity, stability of elastic equilibrium, response to dynamics and elastoplastic vibrations, shell structures, solutions for steel and reinforced structures. Lately, he has focused his works on the elastic and elastoplastic stability of compressed simple or composed steel members in the presence of mechanical and geometrical imperfections and damages due to cyclic actions. He is the author of an incredible number of papers and publications.
Prof. Ing. Jean-Baptiste SCHLEICH will always be recognised as "Mr Fire” of Europe. He was the leading professor in the development of the "Natural Fire Safety Concept". Under his leadership, the relationship of the fire load to the risk to a structure and its occupants was researched and tested. It is due to his work that structures can now be fire engineered with a significant benefit to the industry, building owners and users.
Professor Manfred HIRT had been member of the various ECCS Technical Committees. He wrote more than 130 publications as author or co-author. Director of the Steel Structures Laboratory (ICOM) of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne (EPFL), Prof. Hirt was known on the international scene for his expertise in the field of fatigue and fracture mechanics of steel structures, loads and action on structures, structural safety and serviceability and steel-concrete composite construction. In August 2003, he had been elected President of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE).
Professor Giulio BALLIO was born in Rome, on 4 March 1940, and graduated in Aeronautical Engineering at the “Politecnico of Milan”, in 1963. He was Ordinario of the Science of Construction at Pavia University and, subsequently, of Construction in Steel at the Politecnico of Milan, where he has also been responsible, since 1985, for the Material Tests Laboratory.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard SEDLACEK, was a leading and opinion-forming person in various ECCS technical committees and subcommittees. He was one of the most active person in the European steel research sector as well as in the European codification field. His various activities covered a huge range beginning from intelligent design of steel and composite structures to researching, applying of research results, safety requirements, teaching and training of students and engineers, promotion and developing of steel structures and design tools for a better market share.
Professor Patrick DOWLING started his working life as an employee of BCSA and subsequently worked both in industry and academia. He was extensively involved with ECCS in plate buckling research and was Chairman of the CEN Eurocode 3 Committee.
When awarded, Professor Federico MAZZOLANI was Director of the “Institute of Technique of Construction” at the Engineering Faculty of Naples, Italy. Born in Milan, in 1938, and graduated in Civil Engineering at the University of Naples, Prof. Federico M. Mazzolani co-operated since 1970 with ECCS, assuming the responsibility of Committee chairmanship. His activity has been characterised by the issue of several fundamental documents, which played a leader role in the development of the European codification at the level of both national codes and Eurocodes.
Scientific Manager and Deputy General Manager of the French Technical and Industrial Centre of Steel Construction (CTICM), Professor Jacques BROZZETTI contributed highly to the development of the European Steel Construction. He had a long involvement with various research projects including stability problems, composite construction, fatigue and fire behaviour of steel structures. As a result, he had been involved with many Codes and design guides comprising writing activities. He worked with the profession to promote the steel construction on its various aspects.
Prof. Jan W.B. STARK, from the University of Delft, The Netherlands, had made substantial contributions to the construction industry in general, and more specifically with regard to steel and composite structures. For many years, he had been an active member of CEN and served ECCS in various committees. The Charles Massonnet Award was presented to him to express our gratitude for his high standard and valuable contribution to the steel construction industry.
Close collaborator of Professor Charles Massonnet, Professor René MAQUOI, was awarded in recognition of his efforts for the development of steel and composite construction. Indeed, Professor Massonnet was his “master” and conducted his first step in the ECCS activities.
Frantisek Wald concentrates on the connection and fire design of steel structures. He prepared the component model for column bases and the component based finite element model of joints. He works in ECCS Technical Committee 10 - Structural joints and in Project team for preparation of standard - EN 1993-1-8:2020.
