Bridge Design: Project Competition

Abstract

This module offers the possibility to apply the fundamentals of the course Bridge Design in a conceptual design project. The scenario is set as a design competition: The students (group of two) will get a basic documentation (service criteria agreement, plans, digital terrain model, geotechnical report, photo documentation, etc.) and will develop a conceptual design suitable for the given site.

Objective

At the end of the course, students will have developed a convincing bridge design that satisfies following criteria: _ Consideration of governing boundary conditions and constraints. _ Conception of an efficient structural system with an adequate aesthetic expression considering the environment. _ Definition of the relevant actions and decisive load cases. _ Proof of feasibility by dimensioning the main structural elements. _ Schematic overview of construction processes. _ Appropriate presentation and visualisation of the proposed bridge design.

Content

The module is built up as follows: 0. Presentation of problem statement / project. (1st week of semester) 1. Introduction to design tools & working methods. 2. Working on project (milestones): ... a. Define requirements and boundary conditions. ... b. Study of references and possible concepts ... c. Choice of best variant ... d. Structural modelling & calculations ... e. Plans & visualisation 3. Presentation of your work in a mid-term and a final critique. 4. Submission

Resources