Building safe access to public infrastructure 

ViaCon Sweden helped the city of Tibro construct safe accessibility when building a new school with a road underpass

The Challenge

In designing the plan for a new school in the city of Tibro, one of the main considerations was safe access to the facility. This would require the construction of an underpass underneath road 201 in Tibro.   

Design requirements included: 

  • Live load according to EN 1991-2 
  • A cover depth of 1.15 metres 
  • Backfilling parameters according to SDM with base coarse material 80 years’ durability 
  • Corrosion protection layers: zinc coating with thickness according to EN ISO 1461, surface of the structure painted 1.5m outside both ends with paint thickness of 300 μm 

Design requirements

  • Life load according to EN 1991-2  
  • A cover depth of 1.5 meter   
  • Backfilling parameters according to SDM with base coarse material  
  • 80 years’ durability  
  • Corrosion protection layers: zinc coating with thickness according to EN ISO 1461, surface of the structure painted 1.5m outside both ends with paint thickness of 300 μm  

The Swedish Transport Administration had also decided on a soil-steel bridge, thanks to its easier, more cost-effective construction.    

The Solution

ViaCon Sweden provided a solution in the form of two ready-made tunnels, reinforced on top with extra plates.  

The resulting steel structure had the following measurements:  

  • Span: 13 m 
  • Rise: 3.2 m 
  • Bottom length: 35 m 
  • Top length: 24 m 
  • Steel grade: S315MC 

The ViaCon Advantage

With ViaCon, the underpass provided safe access to the new school and also delivered other benefits, including:  

  • Quick and easy assembly 
  • Lower maintenance requirements  
  • Competitive costs overall and low cost of project implementation  
  • Steel is 100% recyclable, contributing to the circular economy at end of life 
  • Fewer accidents and casualties 

Stakeholders 

Investor: City of Tibro  

Designer: Sweco 

Contractor: Ama Allt i Mark och Anläggning AB