Engineering Movable Bridges for the World of Tomorrow
HDR’s Raphael Costa Discusses the Latest Design Advancements and Engineering Approaches to Maintain and Improve Movable Bridges
Movable bridges are critical links in the infrastructure network, providing flexibility to accommodate pedestrians, vehicles and trains without blocking water traffic. Maintaining these bridges requires specialized expertise in their specialized design and machinery, which can often be decades old.
In the latest from HDR’s Experts Talk interview series, Raphael Costa, P.E., explains the latest trends in movable bridge design, including advances in remote operation, data collection and deck material. He discusses how he helps clients seeking to modernize their bridges and when it makes sense to do full-scale replacement rather than rehabilitation.
Costa leads HDR’s movable bridge program, which supports owners of all types of movable bridges — including bascule, lift and swing bridges for roadways, railroads and pedestrians. Costa has focused on movable bridge engineering for 25 years and the team he now leads addresses every aspect of movable bridges’ life cycles, from advisory services and planning to design, construction support and asset maintenance.
As Costa points out, “A movable bridge is a large machine that also happens to be a bridge. Its design and maintenance require coordinated expertise in electrical, mechanical and structural engineering.” While there are a limited number of engineers who concentrate on this niche, the good news is that “there is constant innovation in this sector as owners and engineers push for better solutions and improved efficiencies, refusing to stick with what’s always been done before.”
For more, read the whole interview with Costa on modernizing movable bridges.
HDR’s Experts Talk interview series shines a light on various aspects of transportation infrastructure design and delivery. Each subject matter expert offers unique expertise and insights about new and ongoing trends, emerging technologies and the human side of infrastructure.
About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.
