Internal Perspective of Oberkassel Bridge
Düsseldorf, a city known for its rich history and architectural wonders, boasts three landmark bridges that are all diagonal cable-stayed bridges. This design, a significant advancement in modern bridge engineering, was pioneered by German engineers around Düsseldorf in the mid-20th century.
The concept of cable-stayed bridges features cables running diagonally from towers to the deck, providing structural support with fewer piers and longer spans. The "diagonal" aspect refers to how cables are angled between deck and towers.
One of these iconic bridges, the Rhine Bridge, boasts a total length of 614.72 meters and a cross-section with a total width of 35 meters. It has one cable plane with a single pylon 104 meters high. The approach bridge on the left bank of the Rhine, about 25 meters long, was built as a prestressed concrete structure.
Maintenance of these cable-stayed bridges is crucial to ensure their longevity and safety. Regular inspections are carried out to monitor cable corrosion, fatigue, and deck conditions. In Düsseldorf, cable inspections on the Rhine bridges are conducted every three years, with any defects subsequently repaired.
However, specific maintenance schedules for Düsseldorf bridges, such as the frequency of simple and main inspections, are not provided in the available results. It is important to note that the simple inspection does not typically use observation devices for an intensive, extended visual inspection. Instead, functional parts such as bearings, joints, and transition structures, as well as anchorages of components such as touch protection, noise protection walls, and lines are inspected.
The new Oberkassel Bridge, another notable structure in Düsseldorf, was initially built next to the old one to avoid interrupting traffic during construction. In 1976, it was shifted 47.50 meters, making headlines worldwide. The Oberkassel Bridge, along with the Rhine Bridge and approach bridge, collectively have a structural area of approximately 21,150 square meters.
Inspections on all engineering structures, including the Rhine bridges, are conducted according to DIN 1076. Every six years, civil engineering structures undergo a comprehensive main inspection. The results of the previous main inspection are taken into account during a simple inspection. If potentially serious defects or indications of significant changes are found during a simple inspection, the inspection may be expanded to the scope of a main inspection.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that all engineering structures are continuously monitored as part of general traffic route supervision and line controls for their traffic safety. Only significant defects or damage that potentially threaten the stability and traffic safety should be documented.
Despite the lack of detailed, Düsseldorf-specific information on the history, construction details, and maintenance frequency of diagonal cable-stayed bridges, it is clear that Düsseldorf plays a significant role in the evolution of this modern bridge engineering technology.
Technology played a significant role in the evolution of modern bridge engineering, with diagonal cable-stayed bridges being pioneered in Düsseldorf by German engineers in the mid-20th century. Maintenance of these structures, including the Rhine Bridge and the Oberkassel Bridge, is conducted according to specific guidelines and involves regular inspections to ensure their longevity and safety.
