Amsterdam | Schiphol Logistics Park
- Project Number: 15-157
- Length: 9m
- Width: 2m
- Class: 5kN/m2 + service vehicle
- Year built: 2017
Schiphol Logistics Park officially inaugurated the composite biobased bridge at its logistics business park in Rozenburg, NH, in 2018. Schiphol Logistics Park, FiberCore Europe and TU Delft joined forces for this special pedestrian bridge. Never before has it been possible to produce a bridge structure with such sustainable products in a regular construction process. The composition of the materials makes the bridge innovative and special.
The bridge deck was produced as biobased as possible. Basalt fibers and biobased polyester resin are the main raw materials of the bridge deck. Advantages of fiber-reinforced plastic (also called composite) over traditional building materials are their high strength, low energy requirements during construction, low maintenance requirements and long life. In addition to being safe, this also makes it a sustainable building material. The structural properties of the material are not subject to rot or corrosion. As a result, the material is expected to last at least a hundred years, with no need for replacement and minimal maintenance in between.
Basalt fibers are made from the basaltic rock, the volcanic igneous rock created by solidification of lava. The main advantage of using basalt fiber over other technical fibers (such as fiberglass) is the strength of the material. Because the fiber is so strong, it requires less material and creates a lightweight bridge. In addition to the strength of the fiber, the material is also completely recyclable. Because it is a volcanic rock, the fiber can be remelted and extracted after the bridge's service life ends, allowing the material to be reused.
The resin used for this bridge is partly of natural origin. Polyester resin is made from a reaction of a large number of molecules with both a carboxylic acid and an alcohol group in the molecular chain. To make it, bio-resin glycol derived from vegetable glycerin is used.
The composite bridge at Schiphol Logistics Park was made possible by the supplier of the basalt fibers Mafic S.A., the supplier of the balsa BALTEK VBC by Airex AG, a member of 3A Composites, Poly Base Produktie B.V. for processing the balsa and Royal Haskoning DHV.