Alternativeness in the Architectural Design of Bridges and Overpasses

Abstract

Modern extensive foreign and domestic experience in design and construction of multifunctional overpasses and bridges indicates that they have become an integral part of urbanised systems. They are endowed with the functions of important urban objects, and with their appearance they have won the right to be considered iconic structures. The subject of the article refers to architectural design of bridges and overpasses. The authors set themselves the task of considering the aspects of combining the main functional characteristics with the aesthetic properties of the object, designating visual components of the project and the specifics of alternativeness of design.The objective of the work is to consider alternativeness in architectural design of bridges and overpasses. A complex method, combining an analysis of the historical and modern experience of architectural theory and design practices, was based on technical literary materials. The study resulted in formulating indicators and leading principles of alternative design.The use of alternatives in the process of designing urban bridges and overpasses allows not only to consider functionality and economic feasibility of a particular project and construction of an object, but also its architectural and artistic orientation, aesthetic component, as well as the designer’s worldview and current trends in architecture. In the process of alternative design of bridges and overpasses, it is required to reproduce the overall complete image of the future structure, consider all kinds of details in structures and shape, and various criteria for layout and location in the environment.