"Reaction [beta]"
The Venus Flytrap Bridge 17 Apr 2008
Buro Happold and Hakes Associates have collaborated to develop a concept design for a radical new bridge inpsired by the Venus Flytrap. As you can see in the image above, the bridge's two outer arches close together like the jaws of the plant when devouring an unsuspecting insect to allow ships to pass through.
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2 comments so far
Koen 17 Apr 2008 11:02 AM
It's original, but I don't really see what the point is.
Why do the arches need to close together? Couldn't they just as well stay upright all the time and simply hoist the deck up when necessary. Because using this mechanism the length of the cables needs to be adjusted anyway.
Or does the bridge need to be flat for some reason? Is it close to an airport? I don't get it.
And -- I'm not an engineer -- aren't the tips of an arch supposed to be connected at the bottom for strength (because else the arch will want to flatten out)?
the designer 13 Jun 2008 08:44 AM
We deisigned this so it would fit into a world heritage site - the clients requirement was that the site did not need a tall structure as it would conflict with the surroundings, so it only lifts up when it left boats through. the design is now fully engineered and was also adapted to lift up in high flood conditions in case a tree came down river and was goign to strike the bridge. The deck in compression when it is in its lowered position and the arches are actig as beams, only when they lift do they act as arches.