Exmouth Marina Footbridge, Exmouth WA

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Project: Exmouth Marina Footbridge, Exmouth WA
Client: Benchmark Projects for Landcorp
Contractor: Bocol

As part of a marine development to complement the boat harbour at Exmouth (near the North West Cape), Landcorp commissioned the design of a landmark footbridge over the main canal. The functional purpose of the footbridge is to provide a pedestrian link between resort and harbour facilities and the proposed, upmarket residential and commercial developments of the main marina precinct.

Features:

  • A headroom of 6m above high astronomical tide was specified for the design, to which was added the tidal allowance of 1.4m and a tolerance of 0.1m for construction and deflection. This was a compromise to yachting but seen as suitable for the majority use by motor vessels and suited the purpose from a pedestrian access viewpoint, without having to provide separate ramps – providing the structural depth could be kept very shallow.
  • Design issues for the high steel arch included high cyclonic winds and impact from an errant, ocean-going vessel. The design was proportioned with curved surfaces, slender arch members and shallow deck. Slenderness was achieved principally by triangulating the hangers, thereby increasing the shear stiffness of the structure.
  • Precast units were lifted into position by crane from a raft/barge and the weight of each symmetric pair transferred simultaneously onto the permanent cables by synchronising (to within 1 tonne) through radio contact.

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