Küstrin-Kietz Rail Crossing, Innovative Bridge Design, German infrastructure project
Küstrin-Kietz Rail Crossing on the German / Polish border
Innovative Bridge Design in Germany design by Knight Architects
6 August 2024
Design: Knight Architects
Location: River Oder, German / Polish border
Photos by Wilfried Dechau
Küstrin-Kietz Rail Crossing, Germany
Designed by leading international bridge design practice Knight Architects in collaboration with civil engineer Schüßler-Plan Berlin and structural engineer sbp, the strategically important bridge revives the once famous Berlin-Königsberg-Eydtkuhnen rail line, breathing new life to an important pre-Cold-War trade corridor.
The design concept for the new replacement bridge emerged from a two-stage international design competition, which Schüßler-Plan and Knight Architects won. The project comprises two slender and elegant bridge structures. The 266m-long main crossing replaces a derelict, 1926 single-track truss with a distinctive 130m network arch spanning the Oder River. With its crown positioned above the demarcation line of the border, the steel structure acts as a landmark that highlights the importance of the location and welcomes travelers between the two countries.
The result is a filigree network arch which blends seamlessly into the continuous three-span eastern approach on the Polish side. The less dramatic, but equally important, 176m Odervorflut bridge crosses a flood relief canal 500m west of the main crossing and is designed with similar architectural features to the main bridge. Part of the overall project is also the renewal of the track system in a section of 1,250m in length.
The project’s general planning services were provided by Schüßler-Plan with Knight Architects overseeing the architectural concept development throughout developed design and planning application. sbp developed the structural design of the network arch bridge, that followed the competition-winning concept, but instead of the originally proposed flat bar steel hangers, carbon cables with a diameter of 50mm were utilized. This significantly reduced the weight of the structure and cut the amount of steel and concrete used in the deck.
The structure is the world’s first and so far, only rail bridge using the high-performance material carbon for significant load-bearing elements. The technical basics for the feasibility of this solution had to be established within the framework of a comprehensive expert procedure, accompanied by specialists, to obtain special approval and highlight the commitment to technical innovation.
The crossing will help to increase line capacity and shorten travel times by allowing a maximum permissible speed of 120km/h, enabling the revival of rail travel both regionally and internationally. In the long term, this will help reduce road traffic and contribute to the mobility shift towards more sustainable means of transportation.
Küstrin-Kietz Rail Crossing, River Oder
Andreas Keil, Board Member of sbp SE, emphasizes: “We are proud that we were able to convince the client of our alternative technical solution of a network arch with carbon hangers. As such, the Oder Bridge symbolizes a striking example of innovative engineering and marks a new chapter in bridge construction.” It is the second bridge structure by sbp that uses carbon hangers for the superstructure. Already on the Stuttgart light rail bridge, which was awarded the German Engineering Prize, carbon hangers were used.
“It has been a journey from a good idea to a bold decision to a new type of structural system. I am particularly pleased that initial doubts turned into valued cooperation with many parties involved in this project,” summarizes Lorenz Haspel, Director of Research and Development at sbp.
André Hörmeyer, Managing Director of Schüßler-Plan Ingenieurgesellschaft in Berlin, adds: “The inauguration of the rail bridges over the Oder River and the Odervorflut marks the completion of a technically outstanding and complex project. Thanks to the impressive teamwork of all those involved and the excellent cross-border cooperation, this challenging project could be realized. We are proud to have accompanied this impressive project throughout its entire duration, from the competition to its successful completion.”
Bart Halaczek, Director at Knight Architects and Project Lead for the Küstrin bridges, says: “The Küstrin-Kietz Rail Crossing will play a crucial role in improving the transport links between Poland and Germany. Our concept provided a simple, clear and elegant design solution that distilled the complexity of a large railway development project to a single object with powerful, symbolic meaning and we welcome the tenacity with which the client and engineers retained the original design intent. The use of carbon fibres in the load bearing structure is a world first and demonstrates how great design and innovation can go hand in hand to deliver beautiful structures that connect people and enrich communities.”
Project Information: Küstrin-Kietz Rail Crossing
Total length superstructure Oder bridge: 266 m (873 ft)
Span of arch: 130 m (427 ft)
Total length superstructure Odervorflut bridge: 176 m
Width superstructure: 13 m (43 ft)
Height of arch: 16 m (52 ft)
Client: DB Infra Go, Bestandsnetz Berlin, I.II-O-A-B
Competition design: Knight Architects (architects) & Schüßler-Plan (civil engineers)
Architectural concept guardian: Knight Architects
General planning (including civil engineering structures, traffic facilities, technical equipment, environmental planning): Schüßler-Plan
Realised design (superstructure) with carbon hangers following the competition design intent: schlaich bergermann partner
Foundations, Piers, abutments, gradient and railway structures: Schüßler-Plan
Checking Engineer: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karsten Geißler, Berlin
Experimental testing for carbon cables: EMPA Dübendorf (CH)
Experts report for single case approval of carbon: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Hanswille, Bochum
Geotechnical engineer: GuD Geotechnik und Dynamik Consult GmbH, Berlin
Geotechnical independent check: Dr.-Ing. Lutz Vogt, BAUGRUND DRESDEN, Dresden
Contractor: Sächsische Bau GmbH
Manufacturer carbon hangers: Carbo-Link AG
Photography: Wilfried Dechau
Küstrin-Kietz Rail Crossing on the German / Polish border images / information received 060824
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