Design Philosophy Based on the Span’s Internal Forces

Abstract

Bridges are objects of large dimensions and high social impact that must be designed according to multiple criteria. Numerous authors, such as Marco Lucio Vitruvio, David P. Billington and Dieter Rams, provide keys to achieve efficient, lasting and socially responsible designs. Several of the criteria are not really objective, since concepts such as elegance, timelessness or unobtrusiveness can be used very freely, leading to results that are not socially acceptable. The author expresses his design philosophy based on objective principles: integration into the geometry of the environment, permanent search for simplicity, design based on a geometry that emanates from structural behavior, unitary and absolute shapes, and enduring details that give character to the work. From five built examples, a design methodology based on the boundary conditions is formulated to achieve bridges that are well integrated with their environment.

Keywords:

• design philosophy
• aesthetics
• environment
• simplicity
• weathering steel

Acknowledgements

The projects for the five bridges were carried out by a very small team. The author would like to thank the engineers Esther Azcona and Haritz Iriondo for their contribution. The Loyola aerial railway bridge was designed together with three architecture studios: Estudio Lamela, Vaumm and Sueslan.

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