04 Bridge Aesthetics

BRIDGE AESTHETICS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & HIGHWAYS

BUREAU OF DESIGN
BRIDGES DIVISION
OUTLINE
1. Introduction
2. The Whole
- The context of the project
- Fundamentals of aesthetic design
- Aesthetic design hierarchy
3. Guidelines
- Horizontal & Vertical Geometry
- Superstructure
- Pier/Support
- Abutment
- Color
- Texture, Ornamentation & Details
- Lighting, Signing, & Landscaping
- Historical
- Bridge Curtilages
INTRODUCTION
Photo 1
Photo 2 Which of the two bridges looks better?

INTRODUCTION
 Bridges are the most ancient and honorable members of

the society.
 Bridge designers owe it to the community to create

something that is beautiful.
 For future generations, these will be representative of the

times in which these are designed.
INTRODUCTION
GOALS:
The 3 E’s
 Efficiency
 Economy
 Elegance
INTRODUCTION
KEY TO SUCCESS
 Simplicity
Canyon Creek Bridge, Anchorage, Alaska
 Good proportions with an emphasis
on thinness
 Clear demonstration of how the

structure works
 Fits its context /surroundings

Salginatobel Bridge
Brainerd Bypass, Minnesota Brainerd Bypass, Minnesota

INTRODUCTION
2 Ways NOT to Design a Bridge:
 To decide what it should look like and then work
out how to make it stand up and how to build it;
 To work out the most economical

structural/solution and then decide how to
make it nice.
“All the important issues have

to kept in mind from the start.”
UK Highways Agency, Design Manual for Roads and Bridges

THE WHOLE
THE WHOLE
Two things to be considered in bridge design
 The context of the project for the bridge design
 Fundamentals of aesthetic design ( Elements

and principles of design)
THE CONTEXT
BRIDGE TYPE
(THE CONTEXT)
BRIDGE TYPE (the context)
1. Arch bridge
Malagonlong Bridge, Tayabas, Quezon FernBridge, California
Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia Ford Pitt Bridge, Pennsylvania

2. Beam bridge
Bridge of Hope, Minnesota Lagentium Viaduct

2. Beam bridge (cont’d)
A9 pitlochry bridge
3. Truss bridge
Contra Costa County, California

4. Cantilever bridge
Quebec Bridge
The Forth Bridge

5. Suspension bridge
Williamsburg Bridge, New York
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

6. Cable-stayed bridge
Alamillo bridge Yokohama bay bridge

INFLUENCE OF CONTEXT
(THE CONTEXT)
INFLUENCE OF CONTEXT (the context)
1. Influence of span
The accepted approximate relationship between span and superstructure type is as
follows:
• Short to medium span (approximately 18-

 Short span (up to approximately 18m)
40m)
pre-stressed concrete pre-stressed concrete girders or

plank bridges. posttensioned concrete voided slabs.
1. Influence of span (cont’d)
• Medium to long span (up to approximately

• Medium span (approximately 40-60m) 300m)
steel or post-tensioned concrete box girders

balanced cantilever
or incrementally launched girders.
1. Influence of span (cont’d)
• Long span (up to approximately 800m) • Very long span (longer than 800m)
cable stayed suspension bridges

2. Topography and geology
Salginatobel Bridge
3. The nature of the load to be carried
4. The visual presence of the structure
Cooper river bridge

5. The character of the area
Schöllenen Gorge
SITE/ENVIRONMENT INTEGRATION
(THE CONTEXT)
SITE/ ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION (the context)
Bridges in Rural Setting considerations:
• Natural vegetation should be

protected and augmented.
• Minimize the complexity of a

bridge.
• The built and natural

environment should be made
as visible as possible through
the bridge.
Shaharah Schöllenen Gorge
A traditional or bare stone arch bridge beautifully matches an area where stones are available in
abundance and where stone out-crops is visible in the locality.
New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, U.S.
Deck type arch bridge with a high rise span ratio is most suitable in a narrow valley with a
beautiful background.
New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, U.S.

Over canyons
or deep cuts
Bridges in Urban Setting considerations:
1. Create a landmark structure that complements or contrast with its
visual catchment. More people see the bridge at slower speeds.
Forth Bridge, Scotland

Bridges in Urban Setting considerations: (cont’d)
2. Maximize the view from and through the bridge.
3. Designing a well proportioned, neat and pleasing structure.
.
4. Ensure the spaces

under the bridge are
not dark, degraded,
and unsafe.
Magallanes Interchange park

5. Consider
the volumes
of traffic.
Crossing Highways
Rigid frames and slant leg frames can create gateways and portals
Highway Interchange
FUNDAMENTALS OF
AESTHETIC DESIGN
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
(FUNDAMENTALS OF AESTHETIC DESIGN)
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN (FAD)
1. Proportion
Golden Rectangle
1. Proportion (cont’d)
Important factors in creating well proportioned bridge are:
 Slenderness ratio
 The relationship between the bridge height and span.
 The relationship between pier thickness and superstructure.
 The relationship between deck overhang and parapet depth.

 Slenderness ratio
Bridge over the pacific highway at Raymond terrace – SR - 6
Captain Cook Bridge – SR - 18

 The relationship between the bridge height and span.
Sea cliff bridge

 The relationship between pier thickness and superstructure.

 The relationship between deck overhang and parapet depth.
Bridge over the hunter river

2. Order & Rhythm
Concept of order and rhythm

2. Order & Rhythm
Lacking an order and rhythm
With order and rhythm

2. Order & Rhythm
New Herb Feint Bridge

3. Harmony
 Law of the Same
 Law of the Similar
DIRECTION SIZE SHAPE COLOR

3. Harmony
New Herb Feint Bridge

4. Symmetry & Asymmetry
SYMMETRY ASYMMETRY
4. Symmetry & Asymmetry

5. Contrast
Golden Gate Bridge

Contrast in shape, size, colour;
and symmetry
6. Scale
7. Unity
AESTHETIC DESIGN
HIERARCHY
AESTHETIC DESIGN HIERARCHY
Principal Aesthetic Design Factors:
 Superstructure type and shape

- Vertical and horizontal geometry and their
relationship to the surrounding environment
 Pier placement and shape
 Abutment placement and shape

- Interaction between the bridge and its
surroundings/environment
AESTHETIC DESIGN HIERARCHY
Secondary Aesthetic Design Factors:
 Railing details
 Surface colours and textures
 Ornaments
 Lighting
GUIDELINES
Nomenclature
Lt - Total bridge length
Ls - Span length
Hg - Vertical clearance to the ground
Yp - Vertical clearance at pavement edge
W – Pier width
Yga – Dist. bottom of girder to bot. of abutment face
Dt – Total superstructure depth
Dg – Girder depth
Dp – Parapet depth
Hp – Pier height
Bs – Spacing of columns
Bb – Pier length at base
Bc – Pier length at cap or top
Ps – Piers spacing
OUTLINE
• Horizontal & Vertical Geometry
• Superstructure
• Type
• Shape
• Pier/Support
• Placement & Span Arrangements
• Shape
• Abutment
• Placement & Height
• Color
• Texture, Ornamentation & Details
• Lighting, Signing, & Landscaping

HORIZONTAL &
VERTICAL GEOMETRY
HORIZONTAL and VERTICAL GEOMETRY
Geometry – establishes the basic lines of the
structure, to which all else must react.
Factors that influences bridge geometry:
 Roadway geometry
 Horizontal and vertical clearance

requirements beneath the deck
Bridges close to the ground appear massive and dark.
In this case, use of post-

tensioned pier caps
increased the transparency
of the substructure.
Irregular pier caps is visually discordant
SUPERSTRUCTURE
SUPERSTRUCTURE TYPE
Combining multiple superstructure types can result in visual
discord and a lack of integrity
SUPERSTRUCTURE TYPE
SUPERSTRUCTURE TYPE
SUPERSTRUCTURE TYPE
Consistent superstructure type can visually unify a complex

arrangement of bridges
FASCIA DETAILS SHAPE
SUPERSTRUCTURE
• The superstructure fascia is a major visual feature
• Layering of structure and ornamentation resulted in visual interest
FASCIA DETAILS SHAPE
SUPERSTRUCTURE
• Contemporary bridges are often constant depth superstructures with
little ornamentation.
• Reliance on deck overhangs and barrier fascia to create visual interest
SUPERSTRUCTURE SHAPE
• Most contemporary bridges have

overhangs.
• Wide overhangs place the fascia in

shadow and make the bridge appear
more slender.
Flat fascia surfaces result in a massive appearance
Overhangs
Desirable Proportion of Parapet
Dt = ? 2/4 < Dt < 2/2 Dt > 30/80

Ps= 30m 0.5m < Dt < 1m Dt > 0.375m
Dg=2m
Parapet should not be less than 0.5m but should be less than 1m
Parapet
PIER / SUPPORT
PIER/SUPPORT -PLACEMENT and SPAN ARRANGEMENT
Span Arrangement
Ordinary “A”
Ordinary “B”
Better
Discontinuous superstructure & uneven number of spans detract the

appearance of the superstructure.
Desirable Span to Pier Height Ratio
Consistent Proportions of Span Height
Desirable Ratio of column spacing to span length
Ps = 30m
BMAX = 30/8
= 3.75m
Ps = 30m
BMAX = 30/2
= 15m
Desirable Ratio of pier width to parapet/deck
W=?
Dt = 4m 4/4 < W < 4/2
1m < W < 2m
W=?
Dg = 4m 4/2 < W < 2/3(4)
2m < W < 2.67m
PLACEMENT and SPAN ARRANGEMENT
PIER/SUPPORT SHAPE
V-shaped piers
PIER/SUPPORT SHAPE
Hammerhead piers
PIER/SUPPORT SHAPE
Y-shaped piers
PIER/SUPPORT SHAPE
Wide column spacing may make sense on urban bridges to provide for
more reflected light and an open appearance
PIER/SUPPORT SHAPE
* Cap beam and particularly their end

elevations are distracting elements that
make the superstructure seem deeper.
PIER/SUPPORT SHAPE
Reducing Pier Caps Alternatives
Use solid shaft Use multiple columns without a pier cap

PIER/SUPPORT SHAPE
Reducing Pier Caps Alternatives
Alter shape of pier cap end

Diminish the prominence of the pier cap and the pier cap ends.
LIGHTING, SIGNING, and LANDSCAPING
Ordinary
Better
Better
LIGHTING EXAMPLES
When designed with care and sensitivity, lighting can create a strong image of a bridge that
can be appreciated by all.
The Big River Crossing in Memphis
Sydney Harbour Bridge showing the dramatic effects of the pylons and arch lit up
When a bridge has more than one sign, the vertical dimensions of the signs
should be consistent to promote visual continuity.
• In rural areas - can be used to emphasize the continuity of the space through the
bridge. Establish a repetitive pattern of planting which starts before the bridge
and continues beyond the bridge.
• In urban areas – landscaping can be used as a vital contrast for all the hard edges
structures (bridges, retaining walls, noise walls, buildings).
HISTORICAL
PRINCIPLES
• Distinguish new work from old.
• Respect the setting.
• Respect the character of the heritage or culturally important

bridge.
• Consult/Coordinate with the National Historical Commission of

the Philippines (NHCP).
SPACE UNDER THE BRIDGE
BRIDGE CURTILAGES
SEATING/GATHERING AREAS/POCKET PARKS
ACTIVITY AREAS
PLAYGROUND/KID ZONE
OFFICE/MULTI-PURPOSE SPACE/COMMERCIAL SPACE
LIGHTINGS
EXAMPLE BRIDGE’S PROPOSALS
INCORPORATING AESTHETICS
SOLANA-BAGAY BRIDGE
(Bridge type)
AGUSAN BRIDGE
(Bridge type)
CLARIN BRIDGE
(Color and Lighting Concept)
CABAGAN-STA. MARIA BRIDGE
(Color and Lighting Concept)
QUEZON BRIDGE
(Color Concept)
STA. MONICA-LAWTON BRIDGE
(Appurtenances)
STREET LAMP POST
GIRDER
ELEVATION
BASE PLATE
DETAIL
ABUSAG BRIDGE
(Pier shape)
Photo 1
Photo 2 Which of the two bridges looks better?

THANK YOU!

04 Bridge Aesthetics

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BRIDGE AESTHETICS

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & HIGHWAYS

Photo 2 Which of the two bridges looks better?

 Bridges are the most ancient and honorable members of

 Bridge designers owe it to the community to create

 For future generations, these will be representative of the

 Clear demonstration of how the

 Fits its context /surroundings

Brainerd Bypass, Minnesota Brainerd Bypass, Minnesota

 To work out the most economical

“All the important issues have

UK Highways Agency, Design Manual for Roads and Bridges

Two things to be considered in bridge design

 The context of the project for the bridge design

 Fundamentals of aesthetic design ( Elements

Malagonlong Bridge, Tayabas, Quezon FernBridge, California

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia Ford Pitt Bridge, Pennsylvania

Bridge of Hope, Minnesota Lagentium Viaduct

2. Beam bridge (cont’d)

Contra Costa County, California

The Forth Bridge

Williamsburg Bridge, New York

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Alamillo bridge Yokohama bay bridge

• Short to medium span (approximately 18-

pre-stressed concrete pre-stressed concrete girders or

• Medium to long span (up to approximately

steel or post-tensioned concrete box girders

cable stayed suspension bridges

Cooper river bridge

Bridges in Rural Setting considerations:

• Natural vegetation should be

• Minimize the complexity of a

• The built and natural

Bridges in Rural Setting considerations:

Shaharah Schöllenen Gorge

Bridges in Rural Setting considerations:

New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, U.S.

New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, U.S.

Forth Bridge, Scotland

4. Ensure the spaces

Magallanes Interchange park

Important factors in creating well proportioned bridge are:

 The relationship between the bridge height and span.

 The relationship between pier thickness and superstructure.

 The relationship between deck overhang and parapet depth.

Bridge over the pacific highway at Raymond terrace – SR - 6

Captain Cook Bridge – SR - 18

 The relationship between the bridge height and span.

Sea cliff bridge

 The relationship between pier thickness and superstructure.

 The relationship between deck overhang and parapet depth.

Bridge over the hunter river

2. Order & Rhythm

Concept of order and rhythm

2. Order & Rhythm

Lacking an order and rhythm

With order and rhythm

2. Order & Rhythm

New Herb Feint Bridge

 Law of the Same

 Law of the Similar

DIRECTION SIZE SHAPE COLOR

New Herb Feint Bridge