In 2023, a footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists in the center of Hradec Králové was completed and officially opened. The bridge spans the Elbe River near the Aldis Conference Center between Škroupova and Collinova Streets. It was designed by Valbek spol. s r.o. based on an architectural design by architects Libor Kábrt, Gabriela Elichová, and Martin Elich. The bridge was constructed by SMP CZ, a.s.

The footbridge consists of a single arch 103 m long and 6 m wide. The structure is composed of freely suspended load-bearing steel cables, a steel truss structure, and 39 prefabricated bridge deck segments made of high-strength concrete. The prefabricated segments were supplied by KŠ Prefa. For their production, the company used Valucem C120 ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). This concrete is reinforced with steel fibers, making it several times stronger than the concrete typically used in bridge construction. The combination of a striking architectural design and the use of this exceptional material has resulted in a slender, airy structure.

Advantages of Using UHPC

• The high mechanical properties of UHPC have made it possible to produce slender precast components that are lighter than those made of conventional concrete

• The use of UHPC Valucem C120 with dispersed steel reinforcement increases the structure's resistance to failure and enhances its resistance to environmental influences

• The use of dispersed steel reinforcement partially replaces conventional rebar and speeds up the production of prefabricated components

• The steel suspension cables, which are freely suspended beneath the segmental bridge deck, contribute to the bridge's striking architectural appearance

Client:

Architectural Design: Libora Kábrt, Gabriela Elichová, Martina Elich

Implementation: KŠ Prefa, SMP CZ, a.s., Valbek spol. s r.o.