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MakeABridge® Sets a New Standard in Aluminum Pedestrian Bridges
March 1, 2012—MONTREAL, CANADA – The MAADI Group engineering firm’s MakeABridge® all-aluminum pedestrian bridge is featured in the Canadian Innovator column in the January/February 2012 issue of Design Engineering magazine. The full-page article examines the MAADI Group structure, and the evolution of the MakeABridge® pedestrian bridge’s design.
Innovative Weld-Free Moment-Resisting Joints
The development of the weld-free moment-resisting joint is highlighted in the article as the key component of the bridge’s innovative joining method. To prove the bridge’s ability to achieve strict code compliance, validation of the patented bridge design using finite element analyses and destructive testing is also discussed, along with yield strength optimization and potential use in Canadian military applications.
Validation and Testing for Code Compliance and Military Applications
“We are really pleased that such a prestigious publication as Design Engineering recognizes the level of design innovation that MakeABridge offers to engineers for commercial, industrial, institutional, and even military applications,” said MAADI Group CEO, Alex de la Chevrotière. “Highlighting our design’s capabilities in such a respected venue will help enable MakeABridge to become a leading structural solution in today’s reduced-footprint infrastructure projects, not just in North America, but worldwide.”
Quick Installation and Reduced Total Cost of Ownership
MakeABridge allows a lighter-weight pedestrian bridge structure to be quickly installed in difficult-to-access areas, with no specialized labor, and virtually no maintenance over the entire lifespan of the bridge. De la Chevrotière notes, “This is the ‘total cost of ownership’ or TCO approach, which emphasizes lower overall cost over time for two main reasons: first, aluminum is corrosion-free, and therefore MakeABridge is maintenance-free; and second, at the end of its useful life, all of the aluminum in the structure is fully reusable and recyclable, with a very high scrap value. These benefits, along with the bridge’s ease of transport and installation, make our aluminum structure extremely cost-competitive with steel bridges. The yield strength of MakeABridge’s design is comparable to A36 steel construction.”
Meccano-Style Assembly and Cost-Saving Features
The Design Engineering article highlights MakeABridge®’s innovative Meccano-style assembly, where prefabricated aluminum components interlock seamlessly on-site, eliminating the need for welding or specialized tools. This modular system allows bridges to be installed quickly and efficiently, even in hard-to-access locations. Key benefits include:
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Rapid assembly: Lightweight prefabricated components allow quick installation with minimal labor.
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Weld-free construction: No specialized tools or welding required on-site, simplifying installation.
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Low maintenance: Corrosion-free aluminum ensures virtually no maintenance over the bridge’s lifespan.
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Recyclable materials: All aluminum components are fully reusable and recyclable, adding residual value at the end of life.
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Cost-effective solution: Reduced labor, faster deployment, and low maintenance make the bridge highly cost-competitive compared with traditional steel structures.
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Versatile applications: Ideal for commercial, industrial, institutional, and military projects requiring modular, sustainable pedestrian bridges.
By combining modular assembly, durability, and sustainability, MakeABridge® provides a highly efficient and economical solution for modern bridge infrastructure.
