L'Argens Bridge
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L'Argens Bridge
Pedestrian, cable suspension bridge (built in-situ) as a design response to an extremely inaccessible site
A light and simple bridge was required to provide pedestrian and quad bike access to the eastern part of a 400 acre vineyard separated by river L’Argens.
Most elements have a dual structural/design purpose, ie the balustrade is a beam, the handrail and decking are parts of the primary load spreading system. It is low in weight and impact, with the span of the bridge lifted into a graceful camber to reduce the chances of water bourn debris hitting the bridge in a flood situation
Scoop foundations used to resist the catenary forces in the weak Alluvial soil. Catenary cable one sided with mast sat on only stable ground, the rocky outcrop on southern bank.
The 15 fabricated sections and supporting cables were transported to the South of France and assembled using a zip wire to haul them across and fixed in place one by one, due to restricted access
The balustrade infill was formed with an open mesh uniting the bridge deck and the handrail as a truss. This truss spreads any applied loading along the bridge
The objectives were to combine material efficiency with aesthetic values, in a simple effective design.
Data
- Begun: Nov 2012
- Completed: Feb 2013
- Sector: Transport
- Total cost: £70,000
- Tender date: Jun 2011
- Procurement: Traditional
- Address: South of France, near Toulon, France
Professional Team 
- Architect: Webb Yates Engineers, John Horton
- Client: Private
- Structural engineer: Webb Yates Engineers
- Fabricator: John Horton
