Trends and Development of Precast Concrete Closed Spandrel Arch Bridge Systems
Arch bridges which have existed since thousands years ago showed surprising durability. Due to the aesthetic value of arch bridges, it is widely used as crossing over valleys and rivers nowadays. Closed spandrel arch bridge is one type of arch bridges that has been developed using precast concrete technology since 1965. Currently, the available Precast Concrete Arch Bridge Systems are BEBO arch, Matiere arch, CON/SPAN arch, TechSpan arch, NUCON arch, Concrete-Filled FRP Tube arch, Flexi-Arch, Rivo CS-P Series arch and Pearl Chain arch. In this paper, development of the Precast Concrete Closed Spandrel Arch Bridge System is reviewed. The advantanges of precast closed spandrel arch bridge system will also be briefly presented. Comparisons in terms of arch sections, moulding, handling, transporting and installing among different Precast Concrete Closed Spandrel Arch Bridge Systems are also highlighted.