Abstract
Abstract Architects and engineers have been always attracted by concrete shell structures due to their high efficiency and plastic shapes. In this paper the possibility to use concrete shells to support footbridges is explored. Starting from Musmeci’s fundamental research and work in shell bridge design, the use of numerical form-finding methods is analysed. The form-finding of a shell-supported footbridge shaped following Musmeci’s work is first introduced. Coupling Musmeci’s and Nervi’s experiences, an easy construction method using a stay-in-place ferrocement formwork is proposed. Moreover, the advantage of inserting holes in the shell through topology optimization to remove less exploited concrete has been considered. Curved shell-supported footbridges have been also studied, and the possibility of supporting the deck with the shell top edge, that is along a single curve only, has been investigated. The form-finding of curved shell-supported footbridges has been performed using a Particle-Spring System and Thrust Network Analysis. Finally, the form-finding of curved shell-supported footbridges subjected to both vertical and horizontal forces (i.e. earthquake action) has been implemented.
Highlights
Architects and engineers have been always attracted by concrete shell structures due to their high efficiency and plastic shapes
The form-finding of curved shell-supported footbridges has been performed using a Particle-Spring System and Thrust Network Analysis
The form-finding of curved shell-supported footbridges subjected to both vertical and horizontal forces has been implemented
Summary
Abstract: Architects and engineers have been always attracted by concrete shell structures due to their high efficiency and plastic shapes. Some studies on shellsupported footbridges have been carried out by Block’s Research Group at ETH in Zurich [7] and by the Institute for Structural Engineering of the University of Vienna [8, 9] The former prepared a prototype of a concrete shell bridge shaped with a pre-stressed hybrid knitted textile and a. Bending-active structure that acted as a waste-free, stay-inplace, self-supporting formwork, successively thickened through spraying a thixotropic mortar and manual casting of the final concrete layer onto the stiffened fabric formwork The latter group has proposed an efficient construction method of for concrete shells by pneumatic forming of hardened concrete. According to the most recent trends in footbridges design, curved shell-supported footbridges are analysed in Section 7 considering the influence of possible horizontal forces (e.g. earthquake loads) on the bridge shape.
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