Location
  • Calgary, AB
Client
  • The City of Calgary
Completion
2007
Collaborators
  • Bluerock Engineering Ltd.
  • Graham Construction
DIALOG Services
  • Architecture
  • Structural Engineering
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Aesthetics were a significant design factor during the development process for the Glenmore Trail Pedestrian Bridge. Five different concepts were considered before proceeding with this design. Appearance of the bridge with its surroundings was considered using 3D modelling and animation. A professional artist was part of the project team to incorporate artistic features that have an educational bent for the nearby Calgary Girls School and for enhanced user experience. Structurally themed words were incorporated into several elements of the project. Adjacent to the bottom of the anchoring rods, the word ANCHORING is incorporated into the north traffic barrier, and the words “COMPRESSED” and “ANCHORING” are incorporated into a pair of concrete artworks adjacent to the south anchor rods.

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Glenmore Trail Bridge 1
Meeting site challenges Five different design options were considered before selecting the ultimate design: a cantilever-type bridge with a precast concrete drop-in centre span.
Glenmore Trail Bridge roadway
Keeping traffic moving The site offered serious challenges to the design team, including limited space and inability to close the roadway for any extended period of time during construction.
Glenmore Trail Bridge pier 02
Cantilever design The bridge is composed of two cast-in-place high performance concrete cantilever girders supported by the two main piers.
Glenmore Trail Bridge Post Tension Rods
High strength rod supports Both the cantilever girders and the drop-in girder are reinforced using two post-tensioned sets of high strength cables, in fully grouted ducts.
Glenmore Trail Bridge Post Tension Rods 02
Art meets science Structurally themed words have been incorporated into several parts of the project by artist Adam Kuby. The art highlights the engineering, offering an educational component.
Glenmore Trail Bridge north ramp
North pedestrian ramp Pedestrian access is achieved via a straight ramp supported on cast in place concrete piers anchored to drilled concrete piles.
Glenmore Trail Bridge ramp 01
South Pedestrian Access  South access is provided by a switch back ramp supported on cast in place concrete piers on spread footings.
Glenmore Trail Bridge center section
Center span installation Temporary steel towers supported the drop-in girder weight during installation of the tie down rods at the piers before allowing the bridge to function as a clear span of 53 meters.

Meet The Team

See more team members
“Because of ultra high performance concrete, we were able to work with a wide selection of aesthetic possibilities that would never have been possible with conventional concrete.”
Gerry Carson
Glenmore Trail Bridge Main Span Drawing v3.jpg

Design Process 01

Five different options were considered before the final design was chosen.

Glenmore Trail Bridge cantilever drawing.jpg

Design Process 02

Main pier design sketch

Detail showing the design of one of the two main piers supporting the bridge girders.

Glenmore Trail Bridge post stress drawing

Design Process 03

Cantilever girder anchors

To support the span between the two main piers, a set of high strength steel anchor rods are used.

Glenmore Trail Bridge from above render.jpg

Design Process 04

Site rendering

This rendering depicts the bridge as seen from overhead on the north side of Glenmore Trail.

Glenmore Trail Bridge Main Span Installation.jpg

Design Process 05

Center span installation

Temporary steel towers supported the drop-in girder load allowing the bridge to function as a clear span of 53 metres until the north and south piers were completed.

Awards

2008 Special Jury Award for Innovative Technology, Prestressed Concrete Institute

2009 Award of Excellence – Bridges, American Concrete Institute (Alberta Chapter)

2009 Award of Excellence – Advanced Concrete Construction, American Concrete Institute (Alberta Chapter)

2010 Awards for Outstanding Concrete Structures – Nominee, International Federation for Structural Concrete

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