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Figure 38: longitudinal section of the bridge of Vihantasalmi

Lattice beam bridges
Photograph 34: bridge over the river Dore (interior view)
The important thing is to create very high
beams that will cross rather wide spans
while leaving a pleasant luminosity.
The span range of these structures is from
20-50 meters. The general slenderness
ratio should be limited to a maximum of
1/10th of the span.
An example of this type of structure is the
bridge over the river Dore at Saint-
Gervais-sous-Meymont, built in 1994. It
is the first timber bridge without a
load limitation, of road class II in
France. It profited from the IVOR seal
(innovations validated on reference
structures ) in 1996.
The principal structure is made up of a
lattice formed by beams of Scots pine
Glue-lam. The oak flooring is suspended
on the joints of the main frame.
The headroom 4.70 m and the width 6 meters. The span of the structure is 33,25 m with a low general
slenderness ratio (approximately 1/7th) but the structure is very luminous.
Each of the main beams is formed of two elements in Glue-lam, 185 x 528 mm. The diagonals are formed
by two beams of glue-lam 185 x 363 mm. The posts are beams of glue-lam 200 x 363 mm. The joints are
bolted, with threaded rods inserted and glues into the timber beams.
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Photograph 35: bridge over the river Dore (exterior view)