Platform on concrete and steel in construction
The IJburg Bridges project comprises two road bridges with steel and concrete structures that connect the new Strandeiland residential district with Haveneiland and Centrumeiland in Amsterdam. The Belgian company Iemants (part of the multidisciplinary construction firm Smulders) ensured the successful completion of these unique steel structures through optimal collaboration using BIM.
Grimshaw Architects designed both bridges in collaboration with the architecture and engineering firm Sweco. With their complex shapes and construction, the bridges are a fine example of craftsmanship.
Rhino and Grasshopper were used effectively for parametric design. This software made it possible to model the complex shapes efficiently. The model was then transferred directly to Tekla Structures via Tekla Live Link. Steven Geerinckx, project engineer at Iemants: “The challenge with this project was getting all parties involved on the same page. We developed the model in the 3D design software Tekla Structures, which allowed us to model even the most complex shapes. Through our BIM platform, Trimble Connect, we were able to communicate and share information easily. Because both systems are directly linked, we could export data while preserving all relevant information.” This gave all parties involved access to up-to-date 3D models, resulting in seamless collaboration between engineering, production, and assembly.
All Iemants employees can easily log in to the 3D model using Trimble Connect. Geerinckx: “It sometimes surprises me how many colleagues use the BIM model—for example, to gain a better understanding than they can from the 2D drawings they receive. Take welders and fitters, for example, who can measure missing dimensions and create work plans using images from the 3D model. That way, everyone sees exactly what’s intended.” The benefits of this digital approach are clear: a better overview, improved collaboration, and fewer errors during construction.
The bridges are real eye-catchers thanks to their large steel tubes. They have a diameter of 610 mm and a wall thickness of 40 mm. In total, more than 2.3 km of tubing was used. These tubes were supplied by Kersten, the market leader in bending and manufacturing curved steel and aluminum components. Martijn Rozemeijer, category sales manager at Kersten, explains: “Bending these tubes was an interesting challenge for us. A key requirement was that the tubes had to have a smooth, flowing curve without any indentation marks. Using induction bending, we were able to deliver this high-quality finish.”
For the diagonal connections, each with different dimensions and angles, Iemants used the NC files. Each tube could be manufactured using the exact cutting instructions from the BIM model. As a result, the assembly went smoothly, and the final result is now a strong structure.
Interestingly enough, the bridges were built on dry land rather than over the water. Geerinckx: “That was only possible because this was new land at the time the bridges were being built and because there was no shipping route yet.” The bridges were manufactured partly in Arendonk (Belgium) and partly in Vlissingen. In Vlissingen, all the sections were assembled and prepared for transport to Amsterdam via a floating platform. SPMTs—self-propelled transport vehicles designed to move heavy and large objects—were used to move the bridges into place. This had the advantage of limiting the use of heavy equipment such as cranes. The bridges are also more easily accessible from dry land during the subsequent assembly phase. All of this results in more efficient work, lower costs, reduced CO2 emissions, and thus less impact on the environment.
Kersten was also able to work sustainably thanks to the inductive bending technique. Rozemeijer explains: “When cold-forming steel, you normally always need excess length. Now we were able to work with much less excess length, which significantly reduces waste and makes the project more sustainable.”
The collaboration and innovative approach have resulted in an aesthetic and technical masterpiece with a refined interplay of lines. Geerinckx: “IJburg Bridges is a beautiful project that resonates with people. We submitted this project to the Construsoft BIM Awards to showcase what we do every day and what you can achieve with Tekla Structures and Trimble Connect.” We highly recommend entering, as this submission earned Iemants the award in the Infrastructure Projects category in 2025. The jury noted: ‘An absolute standout: a technical and aesthetic masterpiece in which parametric design, digital craftsmanship, and perfect collaboration come together in an impressive bridge project.’.
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Among other things, Construsoft supports concrete and steel builders by developing and delivering advanced software, providing extensive support and sharing knowledge. In doing so, we open doors to a digitized construction world with streamlined design and construction processes, optimal communication and collaboration. Construsoft delivers 3D BIM software in over 35 countries supporting the open BIM idea. We are the [...]
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