Footbridge for Pedestrians and Cyclists in Irča Vas

The pedestrian and cycling bridge in Irča vas proves to be an example of respectful integration of architecture into the natural environment. With its subtle presence and sensitively designed form, it blends unobtrusively into the beautiful landscape along the Krka River. The materials used in the construction of the bridge have been carefully chosen to blend in aesthetically and texturally with the surroundings. The bold and thoughtfully designed concrete structure, complemented by steel and wood, creates the feeling that the bridge is not just an artistic or engineering structure, but becomes part of nature.

In order to preserve the natural habitat of the river, we wanted to create a bridge that would interfere as little as possible with the river space. A bridge without abutments in the river bed spanning both banks of the river Krka is the answer to the question of the respectful relationship of architecture to nature. The structure of the suspended footbridge also reflects the natural form, the gravitational force placing the ribbon in space according to purely natural laws. This also makes the physical structure harmonious and in tune with nature. The square on the village side forms the centre of the place, what the space lacked in urban planning terms. The village did not have a centre. The entrance plaza is a place to meet, to socialise, to enjoy nature. The balcony next to the bridge is the best vantage point from which to observe the bend of the river Krka, and the view from there is enriched by a view of the structure of the bridge in its natural surroundings.

The chosen design for the pedestrian and cyclist bridge, built using Stress Ribbon Bridge technology, is one of the oldest types of structural bridge designs. In the design of modern stress ribbon bridges, a very thin concrete structure is laid on steel cable ropes that follow a catenary curve. By prestressing the concrete deck with cables placed within the cross-section, such a system gains significantly greater stiffness and is less susceptible to dynamic loads. The structure is of high quality, has no expansion joints or bearings, and requires minimal maintenance. The advantages of bridges constructed with stress ribbon technology are their cost-effectiveness, minimal environmental impact, rapid, semi-prefabricated construction, and execution without the need for temporary scaffolding or formwork. The bridge crosses the Krka River with a single span of 120.5 meters in length. The structure follows a straight line with a transverse deck slope of 2.0%. Vertically, it follows a shallow concave radius whose slope changes along its length from 0% to 7%. On both the left and right banks, the bridge terminates in abutments, which ensure a continuous transition from the bridge to the surrounding terrain. The lowest point of the bridge is approximately 4 meters above the level of a 100-year flood.