Planing Guide to Modular Bridge Construction

The capacity of Germany’s transport infrastructure is coming under increasing pressure due to rising traffic volumes. In particular, the condition of many bridges means there is a significant need for repairs and replacement, which often result in major disruption to traffic. Against this backdrop, reducing construction and closure times is becoming increasingly important.

A promising approach lies in the use of modular bridge construction systems with a high degree of prefabrication. By relocating key construction processes to industrial manufacturing environments, construction times can be shortened, the quality of execution improved and traffic disruption reduced. At the same time, modular construction methods offer potential in terms of standardisation, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The aim of the project was to develop a practice-oriented planning guide for modular bridge construction in Germany. This is intended to support all relevant stakeholders – from planners and clients to contractors – in ensuring safe, efficient and compliant implementation. In addition to technical aspects, the guide also takes into account the framework conditions for planning, tendering and construction. The planning guide is available for download here.

The project thus helps to further establish modular construction methods in bridge-building and promotes the future-oriented, cost-effective and transport-friendly development of infrastructure.

Project consortium and acknowledgements

A consortium has been formed at the Center for Building and Infrastructure Engineering, established in 2019 on the RWTH Aachen Campus, which has been addressing the topic of modular bridge construction from the outset. This planning guide is the result of a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders from the university, different companies and the public sector.

Special thanks go to Autobahn GmbH des Bundes for funding the project “Development of a planning guide for modular bridge construction”, as well as to the following companies (in alphabetical order) for their substantive and financial support:

AMAND Bau GmbH, Ratingen
Echterhoff Holding GmbH, Westerkappeln
FILIGRAN Trägersysteme GmbH & Co. KG, Leese
HEITKAMP Brückenbau GmbH, Herne
Hentschke Bau GmbH, Dresden
HOCHTIEF Infrastructure GmbH, Essen
HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions GmbH, Essen
H+P Ingenieure GmbH, Aachen
JOHANN BUNTE Bauunternehmung SE & Co. KG, Papenburg
Lupp Fertigteile GmbH, Nidda
MAX BÖGL Stiftung & Co. KG, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
nesseler bau gmbh, Aachen

Many thanks to all project partners for the trust placed in us and the constructive cooperation in producing this planning guide for the implementation of modular bridge construction systems in Germany.