ABSTRACT
In this paper a calculation tool is mentioned for the design of simply supported single span GFRP pedestrian and bicycle bridges. The overall goal of this tool is to help users create an initial design based on a limited number of input parameters. In addition and to show the power of this calculation tool, a parametric study is presented, demonstrating the influence of different input parameters on the design outcomes. The calculation tool clearly demonstrates that the design of a typical GFRP pedestrian and bicycle bridge is not strength driven, but mainly depends on the deflection and the vibration criteria, i.e. on SLS requirements. Moreover, it is shown that the choice of the deflection requirement itself, which is in a sense arbitrary, has an important influence on the design and the total mass of the bridge. Further, a design graph giving the most 'economic' bridge for different lengths and slendernesses is drawn up and the effect of a comfort level based design is shown.
