Effects of Ice Loads on the Confederation Bridge

Donald Campbell

As the longest bridge in Canada and the longest bridge over ice-covered water in the world, the design and construction of the Confederation Bridge presented a unique engineering challenge. There was no precedent for designing for the ice loads experienced by the bridge piers. As such, extensive studies were conducted by the National Research Council (NRC) and various independent groups to ensure the Confederation Bridge design was adequate for ice loads in the Northumberland Strait, but also that the design was not overly robust. Since the completion of the Confederation Bridge studies have continued on the ice loads experienced by the bridge piers. These could prove very useful in determining the accuracy of original calculated expected loads and methods that could be used to calculate ice loads in the future. Also, engineers will be able to learn more about the effects of ice on fixed structures as the Confederation Bridge ages.

Civil Engineering Coastal and Ocean Engineering, EN8751, Case Study, Civil, Confederation Bridge, Ice Loads