A Study on Visual Composition of Bridge Form and Detail Design

Abstract

The treatment of connections largely influences the taste of visual impression of a bridge. This paper discuss the detail design of a bridge relating with its total form. Firstly two design trends are shown through the review on recent works and documents that are monocoque style and multilevel composition one. Then four fine works, Tatsumi-shinbashi, Haneda-sky-arch, which are examples of monocoque style, Bach de Roda Felipe II br, and Lusitania br, designed by S.Calatrava as the examples of multilevel composition style, are analyzed into visual elements and connections. Then the each characteristic order in composition and the role of detail design are shown.