TRB Pubsindex
Text Size:
x

« Prev Next »

Return to Results | New Search

Bookmark and Share

Title:

QUANTITATIVE APPROACH TO BRIDGE AESTHETICS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Accession Number:

00789677

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Find a library where document is available


Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309071224

Abstract:

Many important qualities must be considered for the proper aesthetic design of bridges to develop harmony with their environment. Methodologies for segmental bridge design that create bridges that preserve the existing landscapes and complement, and even enhance, their settings are examined. Bridges considered have received 123 design awards in the past 21 years, including 3 Presidential Awards through the National Endowment for the Arts. Proper scale and proportions of various bridge members to create balanced and slender appearances are quantified, including proper span-to-depth and pier width-to-height ratios for graceful structures. The design methodology for aesthetics includes a quantitative and qualitative sorting of natural site features to determine appropriate shapes for the superstructure and substructure. Criteria for selecting and evaluating the visual effects of shape, shadows, vistas, color, textures, and the use of native materials are addressed. Quantification of the cost of aesthetic decisions and determination of aesthetic value are addressed for different elements of these bridges. Case studies are used to quantify aesthetic features for such bridges as the Natchez Trace Parkway Arches [first precast concrete arches with 177-m (582-ft) main arch span], Tennessee; Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Florida; Linn Cove Viaduct, North Carolina; Hanging Lake Viaduct, Colorado; and Wabasha Street Bridge, Minnesota.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1696, Fifth International Bridge Engineering Conference, April 3-5, 2000, Tampa, Florida, Volume 1. The revised name of this series is Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board.

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Figg Jr, E C

Pagination:

p. 10-16

Publication Date:

2000

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 1696
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

Conference:

Fifth International Bridge Engineering Conference

Location: Tampa, Florida
Date: 2000-4-3 to 2000-4-5
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board; Federal Highway Administration; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; and Florida Department of Transportation.

ISBN:

0309071224

Features:

Figures (2) ; Photos (11) ; Tables (1)

Subject Areas:

Bridges and other structures; Design; Finance; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Mar 2 2000 12:00AM