The new Puçol bridge, designed by FVAI Estructuras Arquitecturas is the result of the work of a team of engineers, architects, draftsmen and economists. The bridge is located in the municipality of Puçol, north of Valencia and south of Sagunto.

The bridge connects the two banks of the Barranco del Vado, at the southern end of Puçol, on the border with the orchard.
The bridge designed by FVAI is a necessary connection to facilitate the daily pedestrian routes of the inhabitants since on both sides there are residential buildings and facilities that generate this need for passage. In addition, the passage of vehicles from the motorway to the industrial estate is decongested and they no longer have to pass through the center of the town.
 
"For us it is fortunate to work on an element that is not simply a connection between two margins, as is usual. In this case, the bridge goes beyond basic utility as a route to become a central element of urban growth in Puçol."
FVAI
 

Project description by FVAI

FVAI main goal consists of creating a new structure, simple and integrated into the landscape. This is about a bowstring bridge, close to the countryside, which cross over a ravine. For this reason, design dimensions are adapted to the morphology of the place. The bridge span is 30m long and arches are 8m high. By this way a very light structure is achieved, keeping modern proportions according to current architectural patterns.

The aesthetic principle of the design, remains in the intuitive understanding about how the structure works. For each side of the bridge deck, two arches are used. The inner one is vertical and supports vertical loads from self-weight and live loads, i.e. vehicles and pedestrians. The outer one, leans slightly toward the vertical arch and provides lateral stability. The optimal behaviour of these elements is achieved by matching both arches on top with a very thin steel membrane. The result, is a very light and singular structure.

The key requirement for this type of design is the availability of space for foundations. In order to make the secondary arch to work in an optimal way, this needs to be separated from the vertical one as much as possible. This possibility would be determined by surrounding circumstances in terms of existing planning conditions in the area. If free space is guaranteed, this innovative system could be used even for big span bridges.

This new structure, is essentially a new access to town. It also makes easier the connexion between the countryside and Puçol by other alternative ways, apart from car driving, like biking or walking. This new bridge is a fundamental element for the daily routine of Puçol, not just as a transport infrastructure, but also as a unique visual landmark.

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Architects
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Client
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Ayuntamiento de Puçol.
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Builder company
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UTE Otxandiano Empresarial, S.A.U. - Tableros y Puentes, S.A. (Tapusa).
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Area
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30 meters of light in the main arch, 33 meters of light in the secondary arch and 14.6 meters wide.
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Budget
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€ 629,330.55
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Dates
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Initial proposal.- 2017. Project development.- 2017. Construction.- 2018-2020.
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Photography
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FVAI, VAAN.
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FVAI is a structural engineering, architecture, and design studio working in Spain, France, America, and North Africa on a variety of building, rehabilitation, bridge, and walkway projects. We are in all phases of the project, from conception to execution, through verification and optimization of projects.

FVAI was created in 2015 based on the relevant experience accumulated by its components for almost 20 years in major projects, from conception to construction management and execution of bridges, walkways, homes, factories, high-voltage lines, offices, stadiums or swimming pools, working for construction companies or with Spanish or French architects.

The director Francisco Valiente Alonso, is a Civil Engineer, Architect, and has a Master in Bridges from the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées. He was project director of the MIMRAM agency in Paris, before being a founding partner of DVVD in 2005. From 2011 to 2015 he is director of DVVD in Spain. Francisco Valiente is an associate professor of reinforced and prestressed concrete at the Department of Construction Engineering and Civil Engineering Projects at the Polytechnic University of Valencia.

FVAI's work is based on adding value to the buildings in which it participates. They are used to working both on the architect side and on the construction side; This bicephalia is very interesting since we understand broadly the problem of the work in which each participant has their own interests.

When theye work with architects we contribute logic and economy to the main intentions of the project; They work so that the structure is put at the service of intentions, anticipating potential adverse conditions.

When they work with construction companies they provide economic solutions that maintain the quality of the architecture and that allow the company to save on materials, lead time or facilitate commissioning by adapting the structure to the construction capabilities.
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Published on: March 18, 2020
Cite: "New Arch Bridge in Puçol by FVAI" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/new-arch-bridge-pucol-fvai> ISSN 1139-6415
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