Suspended Footbridges and Stay Cable Systems at Passadiços do Demo (Alferce, Monchique)

Developing pedestrian trails in complex terrain and high-value ecotourism areas, such as the Passadiços do Demo in Alferce (Monchique), requires engineering solutions that guarantee visitor safety while preserving the natural landscape. The technical challenge of this suspended infrastructure was to design a lightweight footbridge with minimal visual impact, capable of withstanding dynamic hiker loads and harsh mountain weather.

We led the manufacturing of the structural systems using a combination of steel cables with direct-swaged machined terminals and high-strength galvanized steel rod systems. The key technical feature of this project lies in pressing the terminal fitting directly onto the cable with certified machinery, eliminating slippage risk and creating an indissoluble bond between cable and anchorage. This is complemented by galvanized rods serving as the structural backbone to evenly distribute loads to the surrounding rock and timber structure.

How is technical safety ensured on a suspended pedestrian bridge or footbridge?

Safety is ensured by using certified steel cables equipped with direct machine-swaged terminals. This system creates a unified structural assembly capable of absorbing dynamic live loads and wind-induced oscillations. Furthermore, high-grade hot-dip galvanizing provides complete corrosion protection against weathering.

Technical and Landscape Highlights of the Project:

• High-Security Swaged Terminals: Mechanical anchorages delivering superior tensile strength, eliminating cable displacement and ensuring constant structural rigidity.
• Corrosion Protection and Long Durability: High-quality galvanized steel designed to endure moisture and weathering in mountain environments with minimal maintenance.
• Architectural Integration and Logistical Efficiency: Clean-profile engineering seamlessly blending with local wood and rock, simplifying transport and installation in hard-to-reach locations.