The east side of the Iron Bridge,

Shropshire in February 2019

showing the dark red paint added
in the 2018 restoration.
PRESENT

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge
 Vehicle
Pedestrian

Bridge Traffic
 Trains
Pipeline

Bridge Traffic
Conceptual design
• Safe
• Functional
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Project cost is within the given
budget
• Provide the best solution for a
given set of conditions
 Caiyuanba Bridge, Chongqing, China.

Conditions to be met:
• owner’s desire of an arch bridge;
• a main span length of 420 m;
• high variation of water level and possible ship impacts;
• double deck girder which usually looks bulky;
• transportation difficulties in material supply;
• graceful landscape but foggy; and
• owner’s desire of a good-looking bridge.
Conditions to be met:
• owner’s desire of an arch bridge;
• a main span length of 420 m;
• high variation of water level and possible ship impacts;
• double deck girder which usually looks bulky;
• transportation difficulties in material supply;
• graceful landscape but foggy; and
• owner’s desire of a good-looking bridge.

Conceptual Design Stage :

▪ Consider all the given conditions
▪ Come up with a concept that will solve all
these problems,
▪ Keep both cost and aesthetics in mind.
▪ All decisions were based on experience or
some very simple hand calculations.
SCHEME 1

SCHEME 2
 Cross-section details

Final form
Details of the concrete Y-frame
The method of construction should be
considered in the conceptual design.

The method of construction is very

important because restriction at the site
may render a bridge concept
inappropriate due to cost or time
schedule.
Step 1

Step 2

Step 3
Step 4

Step 5

Step 6
Step 7

Step 8

Step 9
• Conceptual design is where bridges are conceived.
• A good conceptual design must properly consider
what may be required in the preliminary design
stage, detailed design stage and construction
design stage;
• It must assure that the proposed concept is safe,
functional, economical and pleasing to the eye.
• The conceptual design must begin by being unique.
• The conceptual design is our best opportunity for
innovative thinking, and it is where new ideas are
conceived.