Human Spine Inspires Stronger Bridge Pier Design

Feb-02-18 An innovative new bridge pier design takes inspiration from the structure of the human spine.

Developed by a team from Southampton University, the design features solid segments separated by “intervertebral discs.” The discs, made of a composite material in development by the team consisting of entangled polymer fibers, will strengthen the structure by absorbing shear forces and impacts caused by the movement of the solid segments. The bridge pier segments will be held together by a pre-tensioned, un-bonded “tendon” that will keep the segments in their proper position if they are pulled apart by lateral forces, such as an earthquake.

Image: Human Spine, Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014

More Info about this Invention:

[CO.UK]
[GOW.EPSRC.AC.UK]

---