The Sandkrugbrücke was constructed at the beginning of the 18th century over a minor waterway near to the River Spree. Today, it is located in the central area of the re-emerging German capital. In the course of its history it had to be adapted several times to the growing traffic needs.
The steel superstructure was destroyed during World War II and only repaired in a makeshift manner. This structure which is located on the former border crossing point Invalidenstrasse between East and West Berlin could not be reconstructed until after the reunification of Germany as a portal frame bridge. It was the first new bridge to be opened for traffic between the two halves of the city.
The bridge consists of five parallel, double-jointed frames with a shared orthotropic deck. Between the main girders there are lateral girders at intervals of 2 m which form a grillage together with the horizontal members.
The vertical members stand on longitudinally mobile bearings to bear the vertical loads. Independent of this there are the separate adjustable horizontal bearings to carry the frame shear forces.
