The international competition WIBE Prize (World Innovation in Bridge Engineering) 2017 edition involved more than 200 designers from about 50 countries with an innovative contribution into Bridge Engineering field. A team of the University of Pisa composed of Prof. Ing. Maurizio Froli, professor of structural design, and the PhD students Agnese Natali and Francesco Laccone ranked the second place with a project entitled “The TVT δ “rainbow” bridge: a new technique for long-spanned, highly transparent footbridges”.
The footbridge is based on a novel technique that has been object of two patents filed by prof. Froli for the University of Pisa. The structure is based on the use of glass as main structural material and is able to exceed the span of 30 meters with a double walkway.
The decision has been taken by a qualified Jury of world experts in Bridge Engineering over four selection stages, lasting totally more than one year. A Merit Award has been attributed to the team led by prof. Froli and to the third ranked project. The First WIBE Prize Award Cerimony will take place during the IABSE Symposium, in the Duke of Braganza's Palace, Guimarães (Portugal), on the 26th March 2019.