BRIDGES
Curved steel sections open up new scope for
the design and construction of steel bridges. Standard
steel beams and tubes can be quickly and economically
curved to radii to suit individual project needs.
They can be curved to simple circular curves, to elliptical
or parabolic curves, to co-ordinates or even to mathematical
equations - enabling steel bridges to be constructed
in a wide range of forms.
| Curved metal bridges have, of course, been with
us since the industrial revolution but the cost
of the materials (mainly cast-iron and riveted wrought-iron)
used by the Victorians would be prohibitive today.
Similarly, the cost of fabricating special curved
members is relatively high. Now, standard steel
beams can be economically curved to radii to suit
individual project needs.
Arched bridges create a sense of the grandeur
that was such an important part of the Victorian
age. But such elegance is no less relevant today.
The ready availability of economically curved
beams opens up new scope for the creative design
of bridges and footbridges.
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RENAISSANCE /SMITHKLINE BEECHAM
Two striking examples of the use of curved
steel tubes are provided by the new Renaissance
Bridge across the River Great Ouse at Bedford and
SmithKline Beecham s new 41 metre span footbridge
at Harlow.
Both comprise twin parabolic tubular arches and
both have shallow decks suspended below the arches
by rod hangers. But there the similarity ends. Visually,
they are very different. |
While the arches at Harlow are canted inwards
nearly touching at the centre, the 30-metre span
Renaissance Bridge has arches which are sprung
from a single point on each bank and canted outwards,
giving it a very distinctive lool - such that
it has become known as the Butterfly Bridge .
The Renaissance Bridge was designed by Chris Wilkinson
Architects with Jan Bobrowski & Partners for
Bedford Borough Council; main contractor Littlehampton
Welding.
SmithKline Beecham Bridge was designed by Amec
Design & Management with steelwork by S H
Structures.
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