Jinan Bridge Concept
Rendering courtesy of Sasaki
Jinan, China
Architect
Sasaki
Overview
Sasaki in partnership with Studio NYL was asked to envision five bridges for the future Jinan Prior Zone. The design for five new bridges provides an opportunity to upgrade the infrastructure and gives more space to the river in order to reduce the risk of flooding and preserve riparian wetland. The team drove the design inspiration from traditional Chinese paintings which highlight bridges as an integral part of the landscape.
According to Sasaki, the structural form of the Jinan Bridge has evolved from the site constraints and programmatic needs driving the preferred structural material and then designing the form to make efficient use of the material. Given the nature of the river and the flood plain it was critical that the bridge use a material that can be resilient to the environmental effects of the flood waters and potential scour. The team chose concrete for its durability under these conditions. The second parameter was to choose a structural form that would complement the surrounding building heights and be relatively low in the landscape. The design for the Jinan Bridge embraces these principles to utilize form to permit the concrete structure to do what it does best while creating a low structure to help celebrate the surrounding buildings and establish a sculptural experience for those using the park below the bridge. The bridge geometries are established by first considering the arch and efficient span to depth ratios. The arch on one side of the bridge is offset from the other side—creating a staggered effect. The support points for these arches are linked diagonally across the bridge. The bridge deck is then analyzed to determine where additional support may be required and stiffening ribs are integrated to link the form. The ribs are then connected with a diaphragm shell that links, braces, and offers additional support for the bridge creating a rigid three dimensional geometry.
Our Role
Studio NYL served as the Structural Engineer on the project.
