Suspension Footbridges

Target SDGs

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Bridges to Prosperity with the help of numerous universities, foundation partners and corporate partners.

Regions

Africa, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia

Countries

Bolivia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia

Manufacturing/Building Method

B2P collaborates with local partners and communities to develop alternatives for many bridge components. Industry partners and Universities then provide the expertise and resources and professional volunteers from around the world inspect the footbridge and provide support. This way, the bridges sustain time, weather and heavy use.

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Communities in need as well and universities and potential partners are urged to contact a local partner or Bridges to Prosperity directly if they feel there is a need for a bridge in their community.

Distributions to Date Status

350+

Design Specifications

Varies bridge by bridge depending on the locals' needs and setting. B2P provides an open-source, technical manual about building locally viable, efficient footbridges in rural areas under a variety of topographic and community conditions. The following considerations are sourced from the manual and influence bridge design:

1. Traditional Crossing Point: The bridge site should be selected at or near an existing crossing point
2. Estimated Bridge Span (L): The bridge span for the most common types of bridges designed by B2P are limited to 120m for suspended bridges and 84m for suspension bridges.
3. High Water Level (HWL): absolute highest point noted by the community, including such cases as a hurricane or other large flood events.
4. Approximate height differential (?H): elevation difference between the two proposed tower locations. The final design dictates that the height difference between the towers is not more than 4% of the span, but up to 3 meters of additional tiers may be added to equalize differential.
5. Water Table: Determines if the anchor will be submerged or not.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Monitoring and maintenance is provided by local communities that are trained by Bridges to Prosperity. B2P provide communities with the knowledge and tools to evaluate the basics of bridge maintenance. Following project completion, the community and local government are responsible for monitoring their footbridge and performing basic upkeep. Communities are trained and responsible for replacing deck panels and recognizing when additional support may be necessary.

B2P leverages professionals to conduct technical inspections and provide support for upkeep as needed.

Replacement Components

Bridges are constructed using local materials to ensure that replacement components can be locally sourced by bridge committees. The use of local resources allows for bridge upkeep by the community.

Lifecycle

No Bridges to Prosperity bridge has failed yet in use. No warranty is issued, as the local communities become the proprietors and are heavily involved in the building and maintenance of the bridge. ^{Interview with representative}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

A safe and effective bridge suited to local conditions. B2P bridges are also designed for a rapid, efficient construction schedule which can be as quick as eight weeks with community participation.

Vetted Performance Status

Bridge design and construction follows standard practices and is guided and reviewed by professional, certified engineers. No Bridges to Prosperity bridge has failed yet in use.

Safety

Bridge construction and standards are outlined in B2P's technical manual.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Bridges to Prosperity has its own certification process that people can pursue through the organization and its partners.

Evaluation methods

Technical inspections, community monitoring reports and remote sensing technology have been deployed by B2P and its partners to evaluate bridge functionality and use.

Other Information

Here is Bridges to Prosperity’s FAQ page.