The Life and Work of Toni Rttimann

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Title: The Life and Work of Toni Rttimann

1
The Life and Work of Toni Rüttimann

2
Who is Toni the Swiss?

Toni the Swiss is a humanitarian civil engineer
and bridge-builder
His mission Improving the daily lives of
impoverished populations by building bridges
With limited means, he spearheads ambitious
projects throughout Latin America and now Asia

3
How did Toni get started?

1987 Voyaged to Ecuador after an earthquake he
saw the devastation after bridges were destroyed
Became determined to build sustainable pedestrian
bridges throughout Latin America and the
developing world
Developed a method to construct suspension
bridges by hand with community involvement and
donated materials

4
Suspension footbridge in Kampong Pil,
Cambodia Completed 2001, 93 m span
5
How does Toni choose sites?

Toni evaluates villages that are suffering for
lack of a bridge.
Toni engages the communities in implementing
bridge projects.
The personal involvement of community members
ensures the success and long term sustainability
of the project.

6
Who has benefited from Tonis bridges?

It is estimated that Tonis bridges have improved
the lives of over 600,000 people.
Toni has built bridges in Nicaragua, El Salvador,
Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Cambodia,
Vietnam

7
Toni community members constructing a bridge in
Latin America
8
What types of bridges does Toni build?

9
Why suspension bridges?

Suspension bridges can be constructed relatively
cheaply compared to other bridge types.
Bridge elements can be fabricated off-site and
quickly erected.
Bridges can be constructed without heavy lifting
equipment.

10
San Miguel, Honduras 80 m span
11
Santa Barbara, Honduras74 m span
12
How much does a bridge cost?

Toni says his organization pays 500 for each
bridge (mostly for transportation)
Other materials (wood, concrete) are provided by
the communities (approx. 500 value)
Oil companies and armies sometimes provide
transportation services

13
What materials does Toni use?

Tonis suspension bridges are constructed with
steel pylons and steel cables.
Much of the materials are piping and cables that
have been discarded by the oil industry.
All other materials are provided by the
communities benefiting from the bridge

14
Tonis Implementation Method Transportation
Labor

Transportation
Bridge materials are transported to the site by
truck and then carried on the backs of helpers
Labor
Tonis labor force comes from the surrounding
community. People help by cutting wood, carrying
stones, and more

15
Tonis Implementation MethodTimeline

Planning
Bridge layout is planned and marked
Excavation
Community members excavate for foundations and
gather sand and stone for concrete
Tower fabrication
Bridge elements are usually welded off-site by
Tonis assistants

16
Tonis Implementation MethodTimeline

17
Tonis assistant Walter welding a bridge anchor
18
Sources

Overview
http//www.mostypolskie.pl/Abstracts/0120Introdu
ction20and20scope/Ruttimann.pdf
Kampong Pil Bridge http//www.structurae.net/stru
ctures/data/index.cfm?IDs0005218
Building Bridges of Hope, Recovery, and Love
http//web.archive.org/web/20040217193011/cleo.en
g.monash.edu.au/articles/Ruttimann.htm
Toni El Suizo
http//epcollines.ecolevs.ch/sitetoni.htm
Sigus News
http//web.mit.edu/sigus/www/NEW/news.htm