Design and construction of the Sail Bridge, Swansea, UK

Abstract

This paper describes the design and construction of the Sail Bridge over the River Tawe at Swansea, South Wales. This pedestrian bridge represented a key element in the regeneration of the disused docks area, unlocking the potential for the new Port Tawe Innovation Village under development by the Welsh Development Agency. The development of the design and construction from planning stage through to completion of construction is discussed. This includes the selection of the bridge form along with the use of computer modelling techniques to develop the complex geometry, fabrication and bridge erection issues, aerodynamic investigations and the design of tuned mass dampers to control potential pedestrian-induced vibrations.