Diseño estructural de un puente para paso peatonal y ganado vacuno, en la parroquia Pucayacu, cantón La Maná, provincia de Cotopaxi

Abstract

This thesis addresses the need to build a bridge in the Pucayacu parish, located in the canton La Maná. Currently, the inhabitants of the area face mobility difficulties when they must cross an estuary on their foot, crossing a steep slope with the presence of weeds, mud, and water, which puts their lives at risk. This situation is worsened during the rainy season, when the water level makes the crossing even more difficult. The main focus of the project is to provide an effective solution to this problem, improving the mobility of the inhabitants of the parish and contributing to their quality of life. In addition, it seeks to facilitate the movement of cattle and promote tourism development in the sector. The technical project analyzes and compares two structural design alternatives for the bridge: a suspension type and a beam type. A technical-economic study was carried out that considered aspects such as financial viability, structural stability, and construction criteria. As a result, it was determined that the steel girder bridge alternative is the most efficient and economical option, presenting advantages in terms of simplicity of assembly, transportation, and reduced delivery time.