AE 19: Structural Decoratio

Cateva modele recente de design de poduri ma determina sa-mi pun intrebari despre simbioza dintre structura si decor in proiectarea deschiderilor lungi. Modurile de expresie in ingineria podurilor cu siguranta nu sunt noi, dar mijloacele traditionale de expresie au fost elemente cum ar fi arcade, grinzi, si cabluri de suspendare. Ganditi-va la podul Brooklyn, fara cabluri sale, fara exprimarea structurala. La fel de imposibila este ignorarea zidariei gotice a pilonilor sai. Dar cele doua poduri de mai jos, precum si alte exemple recente, aduc la un loc arhitectura si ingineria pentru a crea o expresie unica in care liniile dintre structura si decoratiuni dispar.



 [Yale Hill House Bridges | sursa imagine]


First is the to-be-realized Yale Hill House Bridges by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects and Guy Nordenson and Associates. The latter describes the design of the two bridges as such:

Each pedestrian bridge consists of two 3ft 6in steel plate girders which comprise the primary structure of the bridge as well as its railings. The plate girders have 1/4in-thick corrugated, perforated webs. The corrugation depth or "amplitude" of the web is trapezoidal in plan and varies between 2in and 6in across the span to enhance the structural stability of the web and to brace the top compression flange of the girder. The corrugation, therefore, allows for a thinner web and less bracing material. The corrugation also creates a varying pattern of light and shadow when the girders are viewed at an angle. The perforations in the web are diamond-shaped to generate a lattice-like appearance that recalls the original wood lattice canal bridges designed by a local architect Ithiel Towne in 1820. The perforations also help to reduce the weight of the structure.


[Yale Hill House Bridges | sursa imagine]

So what looks like a decorative guardrail is in fact a structural member, and an important one in that its shape and perforation increase performance and reduce weight from additional members that are now deemed unnecessary. An of course these pieces create dramatic effects for fairly small bridges.



[Bridge, La Roche-sur-Yon | sursa imagine]

Mai multe detalii gasiti AICI.