Horstpeter Metzing’s scientific contributions

The Sandkrugbrucke, built at the beginning of the 18th century across an unimportant watercourse near to the river Spree, today is situated in the central area of the renewing German capital. During its history the bridge had to be adjusted to the growing traffic several times. The steel construction of the superstructure was destroyed in world war II and was only improvised repaired. The building, situated at the former checkpoint Invalidenstrasse between East- and West-Berlin, could only be rebuilt after the end of German separation. With a significant enlargement of the span length this new bridge serves as the first rebuilding traffic between both parts of the city.

The Oberbaumbridge across the river Spree, which was built in 1724 as a timber-bridge, during centuries was the by for longest bridge of Berlin. In 1894 it was renewed as a solid construction with seven vaults and a spandreled braced viaduct for taking up the first overhead-railway of Berlin. Because of its location in the borderland between East- and Westberlin this building, which was partially blown up in world war II, was only possible to be rebuilt after the reunion of Germany. Trying to restore the historical look of the bridge the street level was strengthened by using reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete, whereas the overhead railway had to get a completely new supporting structure: In contrast to the other design the main span was formed by a modern steel frame structure, whereas in the side spans Preflex-girders which are supported by steelframes were inserted into the viaduct.