Reconstruction of wooden bridge in Punakha, Bhutan
Reconstruction of an historic cantilever bridge, which was destroyed by a surge of water in 1968. Despite the span having been increased from 35 m to 50 m as a result of the high water, the bridge was rebuilt as a classic cantilever bridge typical of the Himalayan region with no visible steel parts, using local wood.
The design was optimised and developed for the local possibilities in terms of technology, materials and building dimensions such that only a few steel parts and some threaded rods had to be imported to connect the individual joists. The structural design was created by WG and implemented by local construction management and contractors. There was only a three-week visit to support the start of the installation of the wooden structure.
DEVELOPMENT PERIOD
2001 to 2008
CLIENT
Royal Government of Bhutan
ARCHITECTURE
Fritz Baumgartner, Bhutan
FUNCTION WITHIN PROJECT
Complete structural engineering from concept to completion, incl. working drawings for wooden structure as well as drawings for concrete, steel and wooden structure
CATEGORY
Timber