The so-called Schillersteg in Schwäbisch Gmünd spans with 26,5m over the Josefsbach, and completes the completely renaturalized riverbed in a very special natural appearing form. For in addition to the striking structure, the building has a high-quality natural stone surface.
A novelty in bridge construction:
A foot and cycle path bridge with a 7 cm thick granite covering is a novelty in bridge construction. Thanks to modern production methods of natural stone works, slab widths of 3 m and lengths of 1.25 m can be easily realized, so that only transverse joints are created. In order to obtain a closed covering, the open butt joints are each provided with a transversely arranged stainless steel sheet gutter on the underside. Circumferential drip grooves on the underside thus guarantee drainage in the edge areas.
With this covering, the bridge can therefore be classified as a "protected structure" according to DIN 1074. The cost of the covering is equivalent to a mastic asphalt version.
The bridge girder itself consists of a stepped glulam beam, which is slimmed towards the centre and is massively block-glued. Thus the solid, compact geometry can be easily experienced from the promenade below the bridge. The staggered design is not only for design reasons: It ensures that no driving rain (according to the standard 30° from the vertical) can reach the bridge. The supporting structure with its cross-section tapering towards the centre of the field forms a slight arch, which was requested by the client and is a reminiscence of the old predecessor structure - a natural stone arch bridge.
In order to underline the high-quality impression, a stainless steel railing with stainless steel cables was used, which has a high transparency. The posts are inclined inwards to prevent children from climbing over them (ladder effect). The handrail is made of the so- called Accoya wood - a very durable modified wood that can also be glued. LED lighting is integrated on the underside. The entire structure does not require any chemical wood protection, as the "covering roof" offers sufficient protection.
