Dancing, divorce, lovers - it's all about bridges. Some of them are known for incredible stories associated with them, others are distinguished by architectural delights. One of the most outstanding bridges in the post-Soviet space is the South Bridge in the capital of Ukraine Kyiv, which opened on December 20, 1990. Then it was the longest of the bridges in the former republics of the USSR. Today about the very best bridges in the CIS.
South Bridge in Kyiv
The Southern Bridge is a giant Kiev bridge 8.8 km long (1,256 km pass over the Dnieper) and 40 meters wide. It is raised 135 meters above the water surface.
The bridge was built over the course of 8 years and at the time of its opening in 1990 it was considered the most modern and longest in the Soviet Union. $220 million was spent on its construction. The uniqueness of this bridge is that it combines automobile traffic and the metro line at one level.
The tower pylon of the giant bridge, whose height is 110 meters, is visible from almost anywhere in Kyiv. Inside the pylon - spiral staircase, which is used by repairmen and extreme photographers. Lanterns are built into the bridge towers, providing safety for flying aircraft at dusk.
Double-decker bridge in Khabarovsk
This bridge was seen by everyone who held a 5,000-dollar Bank of Russia bill in their hands. It depicts the Khabarovsk Bridge, which connects the banks of the Amur. The construction of this bridge in 1916 marked the completion of the longest railway line in the world - the Trans-Siberian Railway. The bridge was reconstructed in 2009. The uniqueness of the Khabarovsky Bridge is that it has 2 tiers - cars move on the upper tier, and trains move on the lower tier. The total length of the bridge with overpasses is 3890 meters.
Red Dragon Bridge
The road bridge in Khanty-Mansiysk, built in 2004 and connecting the banks of the Irtysh, is called the “Red Dragon” because its intricacy metal structures from a distance it resembles some kind of fairy-tale creature sprawled on the river bank. The total weight of this structure, which was erected using the unique “arch-truss-beam” technology, is 11 tons. The total length of the Red Dragon, consisting of 14 spans, is 1315.9 meters. There is no other similar structure in Russia.
Krasnoyarsk Communal Bridge
Another bridge with a Russian banknote is located in Krasnoyarsk. His image can be seen on the 10-ruble note. The bridge was built during the time of Nikita Khrushchev, and for a long time it held the title of the longest bridge in Asia. The length of this bridge, which connected the banks of the Yenisei, is 2300 meters. The builders of the Krasnoyarsk Bridge used a unique technology: the construction and closure of the bridge arches without safety supports. This made it possible to significantly reduce the cost of construction and reduce its time. The tectonic image of the communal bridge made it one of the main symbols of Siberia.
"Dancing Bridge" in Volgograd
The bridge across the Volga, which is located in Volgograd, has glorified this city throughout the world. In 2010, the bridge was subjected to critical wind loads, which caused it to sway in the vertical plane. The amplitude of the bridge's vertical vibrations was then about 1 meter, but neither the bridge supports nor the road surface were damaged. This was the reason why the bridge began to be called “dancing”. The bridge was secured after installing special shock absorbers - dampers.
Suspension bridge in Semey (Kazakhstan)
The suspension bridge in Semey (Kazakhstan), which is only the 17th such structure in the world, was built with the participation of specialists from the Japanese company IHI. It passes through the Irtysh and connects Russia, Kazakhstan and China, but recently it was left without an owner, since the city is not able to maintain such an object. The total length of the bridge is 1086 meters, the length of the main span is 750 meters. The high pylons of the bridge have recently increasingly attracted suicidal citizens. There are several known cases when rescuers and police had to remove unbalanced people from there.
Bridge in Disna (Belarus)
The oldest road bridge in Belarus (it is said that it is more than a hundred years old) is located in the city of Disna, whose population is only 2,000 people. The bridge supports are made of stone, the spans are made of metal, and the decking is wooden. The latter fact is the reason why buses are prohibited from crossing this bridge.
Palace Bridge in St. Petersburg
Perhaps the most famous bridge in St. Petersburg, which is also a symbol of this city, spans the Bolshaya Neva and connects the center of northern Palmyra with Vasilyevsky Island. The construction of this bridge began in 1912, and already in 1916, 34 cars with a load of more than 600 pounds drove onto the bridge to test its strength. The decoration of the bridge was not done at that time - they only installed wooden railings. They were replaced with cast iron ones with Soviet symbols already in 1939, and individual wooden structures stood until 1978. It is worth noting that in 1917 the Palace Bridge was renamed the Republican Bridge, and its historical name was returned to it only in 1944.
No matter how hard the architects tried to “bring” the bridge closer to the water, it still covers more than half of the buildings of the Admiralty, the Exchange and the Kunstkamera. It was simply impossible to escape this, given the low banks of the Neva and the preservation of conditions for navigation. The length of the bridge, consisting of five spans, is 250 meters, and the width is 27.7 meters.
Today, during various events, the spread wings of the bridge are used as a projection screen for showing documentaries.
Zhivopisny Bridge in Moscow
The Zhivopisny Bridge in Serebryany Bor was opened in 2007, connects the banks of the Moscow River and is part of Krasnopresnensky Prospekt. There are many cable-stayed bridges in the world, but the design of the Zhivopisny Bridge is so unique that it has become one of the main attractions of the capital.
The bridge is an arched structure with a fan arrangement of cables. Noise barriers were installed on both sides of the bridge. At the top point of the arch, according to the project, it was planned to place an observation deck, but later questions were considered about placing a restaurant, a television studio and, finally, a registry office in a hanging ellipsoidal module. However, this unique facility has not yet been put into operation. The module itself (length - 33 m, width - 24 m, height - 13 m) is fixed on the bridge, but there are no elevators yet.
The length of the Zhivopisny Bridge is 1460 meters, the width is 37 meters, the number of cables is 72, the height of the arch is 105 meters. The bridge is raised above the surface of the water to a height of 30 meters. The bridge foundations are made on drilled piles with a diameter of 1.5 meters and a length of 20-40 meters. Each bridge foundation is based on 60 piles.
The longest bridge in Russia
The longest bridge in Russia is the bridge over the Kama River, which is the largest tributary of the Volga and is famous for its. The bridge is located near the village of Sorochi Gory and is an element of the P239 highway. The total length of the bridge, the construction of which began in 1992 and was commissioned in 2002, is 13,967 meters (1,608 meters passes through the Kama, and 69.8 meters and 549.9 meters across the Kurlyanka and Arkharovka rivers, respectively).
It is worth noting that the idea of building this bridge was discussed back in Tsarist Russia, then it was returned to in the 1930s. After all, in the fall and during the period of ice drift it was simply impossible to cross the Kama. In winter, only cars weighing no more than 5 tons could drive onto the ice, and buses were prohibited from crossing the river. People had to cross the river on foot – 7 km. The longest Russian bridge solved all these problems.
Master's degree graduate of the Moscow Architectural Institute, regular participant in workshops and educational programs. In her graduate work, Zhanna explored bridges across the Moscow River, as well as the process of interaction between two professions - architect and engineer. According to her, Moscow, one of the most rapidly developing capitals in the world, needs new pedestrian and transport arteries that would connect parts of the city and cope with its congestion. We talked with Zhanna about the features of the capital's landscape and what new architectural solutions could be useful to the city.
- Tell us about your topic thesis and about its relevance (in particular, about the collaboration of an engineer and an architect in the design of bridges across the river).
Bridges in Moscow arose almost with the birth of the city. The peculiarities of the capital's geography - hilly terrain and many rivers - made it necessary to build bridges. Historically, when crossing to the other side, the city entered a new phase of territorial and economic development. Today Moscow occupies a leading position among the most actively developing megacities (according to the Pricewaterhouse Coopers rating). In 2014, a competition was held to reorganize the embankments of the Moscow River. One of important aspects The new strategy was to strengthen connections across the river and build new bridges. A bridge is a complex engineering structure, but, like a building, it is a means of spatial organization of the environment. Automotive and pedestrian bridges across rivers have changed due to the use of more advanced designs, materials and new functional organization. The location in the city structure was also excellent. The purpose of my diploma was to study the historical and modern types bridges, understand exactly what changes have occurred, and propose new architectural solutions for Moscow. I really wanted to show how important the process of interaction between two professions is - an architect and an engineer.
- Creative componentvsPractical rationality.
For an architect, the image of a “bridge” is not so much in the designs, it is more used as a plot, as part of the shape of the object. For example, the philosophical concept of M. Heidegger is interesting: “The bridge rises “lightly and powerfully” over the river... It does not just connect the already existing banks. Actually, the bridge crossing exposes the shores as shores for the first time. Thanks to the bridge, they find themselves lying opposite each other.... A bridge is initially and essentially just a bridge, and in addition to this, special occasion it, as is commonly thought, can express something else.” (Haĭ Degger M., Cacciari M.: two views on habitat. Sitar S. editor of the “theory” section//P magazinei20).
The content of the artistic image of the bridge is revealed in specific architectural forms. The language of these forms and aesthetic expressiveness depend on the properties of the materials used. building materials and designs. The architect is intuitively responsible for tectonic truthfulness, the “play of forces” in designs, uses rhythm, scale, texture and color, techniques of nuance and contrast, connection with the context and thereby evokes certain emotions and semantic associations.
An engineer has a completely different type of thinking. Severe rationality is important to him. For an engineer, the shape of the bridge is utilitarian and unfolds in strict accordance with the character effective loads and based on technical and economic indicators.
In my graduation project, I managed to find a compromise between the creative component and practical rationality. For myself, I distinguish two types of designers - those who deny any ideas that go beyond the standard, and those who say “no, it’s impossible, damn it, but I’ll try to come up with something!” I was very lucky, I worked together with a young engineer from St. Petersburg, Alena Ivanova. Alena works at a large bridge-building company, JSC Transmost, in the software development sector. An amazing person who, in addition to high professionalism, is ready for incredible dedication to an innovative idea. At the concept stage, I drew sketches of what the new bridge could be like, generated ideas and artistic images, and Alena corrected and advised how this or that design would work better. When I was experimenting with new design schemes on conditional prototypes, Alena built virtual physically correct models and calculated in computer program with real loads. Of course, we were not always able to understand each other the first time, but mutual enthusiasm led us to positive results.
Modern technologies: how they influence the thinking of architects and the work of engineers. In particular, with regard to the materials used and design features.
In my pre-project research, I interviewed German engineer Mike Schlaich, head of the Schlaich Bergermann bureau. According to him, bridges should be elegant, lightweight and reflect the development of technology and materials. With students, they conduct experiments with composite materials - for example, they are designing a pedestrian bridge made of carbon fiber - very thin and durable. Mike Schleich told the story of how he was approached by an artist who had painted a multi-colored spring bridge. Everyone played this when they were kids, right? The engineer's task was to take this artistic idea as a basis, find a suitable type of design and implement it. It's amazing how simple idea a children's toy has grown into a supporting structure.
The engineering direction in bridge construction is distinguished precisely by experiments with a beam thrown over an obstacle, personifying the idea of a span. Overcoming a distance is seen as a challenge - “further, higher, easier.” On modern stage interest is shown in suspension bridges - the longest and lightest. For example, the Sky Park bridge in Sochi. The archetype of suspension bridges are vines and ropes suspended above the river and naturally, under the influence of their own weight, forming a reverse arch. The 520 Bridge in Seattle, which opened in 2016, uses innovative air-supported structures consisting of reinforced concrete hollow block supports and vertical support columns. Hollow support blocks are divided into cells and filled with water to stabilize the level of the road surface.
Currently, developments are underway in the field of prefabricated structures - inflatable ( « tensairity» - approx. auto.). Engineers use them mainly for military purposes, but the architect uses them completely differently. For example, a trampoline bridge over the Seine River in Paris ( So far this is still just a concept - approx. auto.).
Pedestrian bridges built from recycled materials - plastic, paper, polystyrene foam - are also interesting. And these are just a few examples!
Moscow landscape. Features and specifics. Advantages and disadvantages. And also - does Moscow really need additional bridges?
The most striking event in Moscow bridge construction was the master plan program of 1935. New blocks of residential and public buildings grew across the river. The flow of urban transport along the Garden Ring and other highways connecting the city center with its areas beyond the river increased. “The new Moscow needed new bridges: high and spacious passages over the river, technically advanced structures connecting the wide highways of the capital.” A special concrete plant was equipped for the construction of new and reconstruction of old bridges. Bridges were moved to new locations. In terms of its scale, construction over the river is included in the history of Moscow reconstruction along with such majestic constructions as the Moscow-Volga Canal and the Moscow Metro. Architectural competitions were organized for the construction of bridges. Each new bridge had its own independent artistic appearance.
The Moscow master plan program of 1971 continued an integrated approach to the problems and tasks of the city's development. Car-pedestrian bridges became an integral part of the new transport network of highways in the periphery. The bridges and embankments of this period were subject to weak architectural and spatial organization requirements. The activity of the architect was practically excluded, to the detriment of aesthetics. In the 2000s, bridge architecture was already commercial. The structures were given an additional function; covered bridges-galleries appeared - for trade or exhibition. Today there are not enough bridges in the city, both pedestrian and automobile. In total, the city has 49 bridges along 83 km of the Moscow River, which does not provide sufficient connectivity of the territories. The crossings are unevenly located: on the south-eastern section of the Moscow River for 14 km there is no possibility of crossing the river. Of all the bridges, only 24 are accessible to pedestrians. Not only quantitative changes must occur, but also qualitative ones.
- Features of the landscape of the Moscow River basin. What are the main things you need to know when designing a bridge?
The territories near the Moscow River are divided into urban, industrial and natural park. Depending on the designed context, the most environmentally friendly materials, efficient designs and types of road-embankment interface are used. The basis of any bridge project is its structural design: the ratio of span sizes. It is impossible to design a bridge without knowledge of the basic structural systems: beam, arch, frame-cantilever, suspension, etc. Bridges have a cross-sectional and longitudinal architecture. It's like the exterior and interior of a building. The plan geometry of the roadway is not necessarily a straight line. Pedestrian and bicycle bridges are curvilinear, undulating, and have observation platforms and places for rest.
It is important to understand both how we get to the bridge and how it fits into the urban environment. For example, bridges with a pronounced load-bearing structure (cable-stayed) in a historical environment will be stylistically discordant, but among skyscrapers - vice versa.
When designing, engineers take into account the hydrological regime (periods of ice drift and freeze-up), the highest and low level water (high water and low water), the depth and condition of the fairway, the width of the river, the angle of the slope, the class of navigation in this section. But you can find out more about this in the relevant regulatory documents.
- What should be the “ideal” modern bridge, and what kind of bridge does Moscow need?
The modern architectural trend is to rethink the bridge as a type of structure and make it part of urban life. It’s like a certain plot: there are embankments, parks, squares, and then there are bridges. They are all different and amazingly beautiful. And this is not only a transit road. It would be good to consider the Moscow River not as an obstacle, but, on the contrary, as a basis for the design of new bridges. The main waterway of the city is quite polluted, and the construction of new bridges using existing technologies will only worsen the condition. But if you set a healthy ecosystem as a task, you immediately want to find innovative solutions. Maybe combine with treatment facilities or block the water surface with one span, find an alternative to pile foundations for supports. The same is true of the lack of new public spaces near the river - the return of the traditions of bridgeheads would intensify new social activities. And there are also potentially effective spaces under the bridge.
I really want the union between the architect and the engineer to be renewed. Non-standard ideas and tasks motivate the engineering brain to search for alternative materials, innovative designs and technologies - breaking the mold in a good way.
- Favorite bridges of Moscow: assessment from an aesthetic and practical point of view.
In my research, I collected data and made a book about all the bridges across the Moscow River. The bridges are all different, each structure has its own peculiarity, history, and some details. It is important, I think, to preserve this as much as possible. And all new ideas are waiting for their implementation in new projects.
Of course, today crossing a river on a bridge can no longer evoke such exciting emotions as before... or can it?
Since the creation of the world, man has tried to overcome oceans, mountains, and deserts. It's in our blood. Of course, today crossing a river on a bridge can no longer evoke such exciting emotions as before... or can it? The 25 most unique bridges in the world that we invite you to “walk” on are remarkable achievements, impressive records, award-winning designs, outstanding architecture and rich history.
Helix Bridge (HelixBridge), Singapore
This bridge over the Singapore River is unique in its design; its structure resembles the structure of a DNA molecule. The Helix Bridge opened in 2010 and is made primarily of steel. At night, its unique shape is complemented by LED lighting.
Chapel Bridge (Chapel Bridge, Switzerland
This magnificent bridge, located in the city of Lucerne, was built in 1333. It crosses the Royce River diagonally. This oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe has a rich history. The inside of the bridge was decorated with 17th-century paintings depicting local historical events, but almost all of the images were destroyed by a fire almost 20 years ago. About ⅔ of the bridge and 85 of the 110 images were lost, some dating back to 1611. Only 25 paintings were saved and restored, and a year later the bridge itself was rebuilt.
Chengyang Bridge (Chengyang Bridge), China
This bridge is also called “Wind and Rain”. It is hidden among rice fields and mountains in the Chinese province of Guangxi and connects the banks of the Lingxi River. It was built in 1916 by the Dong people, an ethnic minority in China. The bridge consists of 5 separate pagodas with galleries and pavilions. Traditional Chinese architecture creates a fantastic appearance, but the most amazing thing about this structure is that not a single nail was used for its construction. The bridge is held in place by several astounding architectural tricks.
Rolling Bridge (Rolling Bridge, England
This unique bridge is located in Padington (London). Every Friday, the octagon-shaped figure unfolds, turning into a bridge - this is the main feature. By the end of the day it will curl into an octagon again. The bridge will appear again next Friday. The mechanism operates hydraulically. The bridge was designed in 2004, its author is Thomas Heatherwick; By the way, the cauldrons for the Olympic and Paralympic flames are also his work.
Langkawi Sky Bridge (Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia
The Langkawi Sky Bridge can be reached by cable car. The curved walkway is 410 feet or approximately 125 meters long and is located on the peak of Mount Gangun Mat Chinchang at an altitude of 2,300 feet (700 meters) above sea level. After taking the lift up the mountain, tourists can walk across the bridge and admire one of Malaysia's most beautiful views of the mountains and rainforests.
Millennium Bridge in Gateshead (The Gateshead Millennium Bridge), England
The bridge was opened by the Queen in 2002 and is located in the center of Newcastle over the River Tyne. This bridge is unique in that it is one of the few swing bridges. When turned to one side, it is a regular pedestrian bridge that allows people to cross to the other side of the river. When it is turned the other way, boats and ships can pass under it. The bridge has won many architectural awards for its design. It is also called the “Blinking Eye” because when turned it looks like the blinking eyelid of a huge eye.
Old Bridge (Stari Most), Bosnia and Herzegovina
The name of this bridge is translated quite literally - Old Bridge. It is believed to have been built in 1566 and stood the test of time until it was destroyed in 1993. during the Bosnian war. More than $13 million was spent restoring this 16th-century bridge and surrounding buildings. In 2004 it was finally restored and opened to the public. Local residents have a tradition of jumping from this bridge into the river. This bridge is also recognized as a World Heritage Site.
Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge (Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge), Japan
This bridge is the greatest invention of Japanese engineering, it holds the record for the longest suspension bridge in the world - 3,911 meters. That's about 4 Brooklyn Bridges! The Akashi Bridge was opened in 1998 and took 12 years to build. It links the city center of Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture and Awaji on Awaji Island. It's funny that the bridge was not built with the goal of becoming the longest suspension bridge in the world, but in 1995 the Kobe earthquake damaged the structure of the bridge under construction, causing its length to increase by 3 feet (approximately 1 meter), which is what gave the bridge its record. The total length of the bridge cables is 300 thousand km. This is enough to wrap around the Earth seven and a half times!
Rialto Bridge (Rialto Bridge), Italy
Another bridge with a rich history. It was built in the 15th century, connecting the banks of the Grand Canal in Venice. More precisely, the bridge was built even earlier, in 1181, but then it was a small barge that served as the only way to get to the other side of the Grand Canal. In 1551 the authorities decided to improve the bridge. The best architects in human history, including Michelangelo and Palladio, proposed plans for the reconstruction of the bridge, but the honor ultimately fell to Antonio da Ponte. Many architects were skeptical of his plans and predicted the bridge's collapse, but he defied the critics and the bridge remains standing to this day. Classical Venetian architecture added to its appeal and until the 19th century the Rialto was the only bridge over the Grand Canal and the only link between the two sides of Venice, until more modern bridges were built.
Slauerhoff Bridge (Slauerhoffbrug Bridge), Netherlands
No, this is not an optical illusion! This extremely strange bridge is located in the city of Leeuwarden. Due to the huge number of rivers flowing through the Netherlands and the busy water traffic, the country needed a bridge that could quickly rise and fall without stopping either river or road traffic. That's how it was in 2000. and this bridge of iron and steel appeared. It is raised and lowered 10 times a day using hydraulics.
Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge (Octavio Frias De Oliveira Bridge), Brazil
Located in the center of Sao Paulo, the bridge was opened in 2008. It took 5 years to create, and 450 workers were involved in construction. The bridge looks unusual thanks to supporting structure in the shape of the letter "X" in the center. Another feature is the movement on two levels, one above the other under the support. The bridge is also decorated with LEDs, creating stunning light patterns, and at Christmas, special lighting turns it into something like a Christmas tree.
Falkirk Wheel (The Falkirk Wheel), Scotland
This bridge is not only distinguished by its futuristic design. This is the world's first and only rotating ship lift. The structure, equipped with two locks with tunnels each 168 meters long, can be rotated 180 degrees. The boats below swim into the tunnel, the structure turns and lifts them to the canal located above. The unique way of connecting two canals and transporting ships makes this bridge a remarkable feat of engineering.
Henderson waves (Henderson Waves Bridge, Singapore
The name itself tells us that the bridge is designed in the form of waves. It connects two Singapore parks, Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park and looks amazing against the backdrop of Singapore's nature. At night, the backlight turns on, adding charm to its already artistic design. Henderson waves are made of steel and wood. Steel is necessary for the strength of the structure, and wood complements the stylish design, embodying the beauty of the connected parks. The bridge is equipped with seating areas, bars and viewing platforms so that you can fully enjoy the surrounding beauty.
SiDu Bridge (Siduhe Bridge), China
The bridge was opened in 2009. Xidu is officially the highest bridge in the world and probably the scariest for those who are afraid of heights. It is located incredible high - 1627 feet (≈496m) above the ground. This is taller than the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids of Giza and Big Ben. It passes over a river gorge in the Hubei province of China, surrounded by mountains and greenery. Construction of the bridge proved difficult due to its location. It was impossible to use cranes, ships or even helicopters. The engineers agreed on an interesting idea of using rockets instead of all of the above. About 1000 m of connecting cable was tied to a rocket and launched over the gorge to the other side to lay the foundation of the bridge. Due to its unique location and unique construction method, this bridge will most likely remain the highest in the world for many years to come.
Millau Viaduct (Millau Viaduct), France
This bridge is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for its height - it is 1125 feet (≈343m), which makes the bridge a masterpiece of engineering art. In 2006, he received the Outstanding Structure Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the field of architecture. The New York Times dubbed it "an engineering triumph" and the BBC called it "one of the engineering marvels of the 21st century." French President Jacques Chirac opened the bridge in 2004. This bridge is estimated at 394 million euros or 524 million dollars. The viaduct spans the River Tan at Millau and allows drivers to enjoy some of the most amazing views in all of France, and sometimes even gives them the chance to rise above the clouds.
Danyang-Kunshan Viaduct (Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge), China
This bridge is the longest in the world. Incredibly, its length is 102 miles (almost 165 km), thanks to which it was included in the Guinness Book of Records. This railway bridge is part of the Beijing-Shanghai Railway and, as the name suggests, connects Danyang with Kunshan. Construction began in 2006 and took 4 grueling years; the bridge was opened in 2011. The colossal project cost 8.5 million US dollars, and about 10 thousand workers were involved in construction. More than 450 thousand tons of steel went into this structure.
Moses Bridge (Moses Bridge, Netherlands
Let's take a break from large-scale projects. It was not for nothing that this bridge was called the Moiseev Bridge, since it literally divides the water in two. The innovative design bridge was built in a 17th century fortress. It was restored, and the bridge was supposed to go over the moat and lead directly to the gate, but the architects, who did not want to make the fortress too noticeable to enemies, came up with another idea. They built the bridge almost underwater to make it almost invisible. The bridge is located inside a moat, so it allows people to cross to the other side without being noticed. This art design creates the illusion of walking through water as the bridge blends into the landscape. It's made entirely of wood and is completely waterproof, so you don't have to worry about getting your feet wet.
Khaju Bridge (Khaju Bridge), Iran
The Khaju Bridge was built by the Persian king, Shah Abbas II in the 17th century. The bridge consists of 25 arches and also serves as a dam, controlling the water level in the Zayand River, on which it stands. On the bridge you can still see the remains of stone chairs built for Shah Abbas II, who loved to sit here and enjoy the beautiful view. The pavilion in the center was built exclusively for the pleasure of the Shah, as a tea house.
The Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn bridge), USA
The construction of this bridge was completed in 1883. It has since become a national historical landmark and a symbol of New York City. The bridge is located right behind the tall skyscrapers of New York City and the view is impressive. The bridge spans the East River and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. In fact, the bridge was designed by John Roebling, but he died shortly before construction began. His son, Washington Roebling, continued his father's work, but was very ill himself and managed the construction without leaving home. His wife, Emily Roebling, gave instructions to the workers and was practically the chief engineer of the project until the end of construction. In 1884, the famous showman of the time, F. Barnum, led a group of circus animals, including a column of 21 elephants, across the bridge to show how strong the bridge was.
Sydney Harbor Bridge (Sydney Harbor Bridge, Australia
This bridge, also called the “hanger”, was opened in 1932. Francis Greenway proposed to build a bridge leading from the north to the south side of the harbour. In 1900, the first projects were proposed, but they were all rejected. Later, plans for the construction of the bridge were disrupted by the First World War, and the project was chosen only after its end. An architect was found and construction of the Sydney Harbor Bridge began in 1924. 1,400 people worked on the project, construction lasted 8 years, it cost 4.2 million pounds or 6.61 million US dollars. 6 million rivets were driven in by hand, and 53 thousand tons of steel were used in construction. To this day, this bridge remains one of the most famous. This is greatly facilitated by the exciting pyrotechnic shows that take place here every New Year's Eve.
Alexander BridgeIII(Pont Alexandre III), France
The most appropriate epithet for this Parisian bridge is elegance. Its construction began in 1896 and ended in 1900. It is built in the Art Nouveau style and features statues of nymphs, cherubs, winged horses, angels, ships and vintage lanterns along the railings. The bridge is one of the most decorated bridges in the world. Despite the fact that the bridge is French, it is named after the Russian Emperor Alexander III - in honor of the Franco-Russian alliance. Alexander's son, Nicholas II, laid the first stone in the bridge's support. Statues made of gold, bronze, copper and stone highlight his Parisian style.
Banpo Bridge (Banpo Bridge), South Korea
Let's move from to modern. This truly stunning bridge is located in Seoul, spanning the Han River. In general, the bridge was built in 1982, but in 2007 a project was launched to renovate the surrounding area, and in 2009 the bridge became exactly what it can be seen today. The Koreans came up with the wonderful idea of running fountains on both sides of the bridge. The fountains discharge approximately 190 tons of water per minute from all 380 spray heads on each side. At night, they are illuminated with all the colors of the rainbow using 10 thousand LED bulbs, creating various colorful effects. Water jets are very dynamic and can move to music, forming picturesque, ever-changing pictures. The bridge is not only stylish, but also environmentally friendly, the water is pumped directly from the river and constantly circulates. In 2008, the fountain on the bridge was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest.
Golden Gate Bridge (Golden Gate Bridge), USA
Perhaps one of the most famous bridges in the world. The Golden Gate Bridge has become a symbol not only of San Francisco, but of the entire United States. Designed by engineer Joseph Strauss, it was built to connect San Francisco with the entire country and cross a strait called the Golden Gate, which gives the bridge its name. Construction began in 1933 and took thousands of workers, 4 years and $35 million to complete. Opened in 1937, the bridge broke 2 records at once, becoming the longest and highest suspension bridge in the world. It received international acclaim, offered stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and, despite criticism, the bridge was awarded for its Art Deco design and signature red color. The bridge's records were soon broken (see paragraph 18), but it still retains its popularity and symbolic status to this day.
Tower Bridge (Tower Bridge, England
Let's move on to another historical landmark. Now we will head to Europe, or rather to England. In the 19th century, the only way to cross the Thames was London Bridge. London developed, several bridges were completed on the western side. The east side became a busy port, and it soon became obvious that a new bridge was needed. The creation of the bridge began in 1884, its design was chosen from more than 50 projects. The construction of the bridge, known today as the Tower Bridge, took 8 years, 432 workers took part in the work, and more than 11 thousand tons of steel were used. The Prince of Wales opened the bridge in 1894, relieving congestion on the eastern side. The bridge has become one of the most recognizable due to its iconic design. There is a tower on each side of the bridge, and the middle section of the bridge can be lowered and raised hydraulically to allow ships to pass through. The bridge is not only a symbol of London, but also a symbol of the entire United Kingdom.
Ponte Vecchio, Italy
Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge located in Florence, it passes over the Arno River. Its history goes back to the times of the Roman Empire. In 1333 the bridge was destroyed by a flood, and in 1345 Taddeo Gaddi rebuilt it. In 1565 Giorgio Vasari was commissioned to renovate the bridge by adding a gallery above it. This bridge is famous for the fact that there are houses right on it, some very close to the edge. Initially, these were shops where they sold meat or leather goods. However, there was too much garbage and stench from them, so in 1593 they began to be replaced by jewelers. The Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence that remained undamaged during World War II and the only one untouched by the Germans during the siege.
Since ancient times, man has tried to embrace the immensity - to cross oceans, mountains, deserts. In this selection you will find the most unusual structures created by man, award-winning projects with outstanding architecture and a rich history. So, we're going to take a look at 25 of the most unique bridges in the world.
Helix Bridge in Singapore
This bridge is unique in that it is similar to the structure of DNA. Opened in 2010, the Helix Bridge is made primarily of steel and is illuminated at night with ribbons LED lighting to highlight its unique designKappelbrücke Bridge
Located in the city of Lucerne, this bridge was built in 1333 and crosses the Reuss River diagonally. This is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. The interior of the bridge is decorated with 17th-century paintings depicting events in local history. Most of The bridge was destroyed by fire about 20 years ago. About two-thirds of the bridge and 85 of the 110 paintings were lost. The bridge itself was restored a year later.
Shenyang Bridge
Dubbed the “Bridge of Wind and Rain” and hidden among rice fields and mountains, Shenyang is located in the Guangxi province of China. Built in 1916 by the Dong people, an ethnic minority in China, the bridge is decorated with five separate pagoda-like structures. Traditional Chinese architecture makes the structure look fantastic, but the most amazing thing is that not a single nail was used during construction, only architectural tricks.
Rolling Bridge
This unique bridge is located in the Paddington area of London. What makes it so special is that every Friday the octagonal structure transforms. During the day the bridge is assembled back to original form. The bridge uses hydraulics to make these transformations and was completed in 2004. The project was designed by Thomas Heatherwick, who also designed some of London's Olympic projects.
Langkawi Sky Bridge
The Langkawi Sky Bridge can be reached via a cable car. This is a curved pedestrian bridge over 100 meters long, approximately 700 meters above sea level. Once you've crossed the cable car route, the bridge is an ideal opportunity to take in the beautiful sights of Malaysia's mountains and rainforests.
Gateshead Millennium Bridge
This structure was opened by the Queen of England in 2002 and is located in the city of Newcastle, crossing the River Tyne. The Millennium Bridge is unique in that it is one of only a few bridges in the world that tilts. When it is tilted to one side, it turns into a normal pedestrian bridge where you can walk and admire the views of the river. When the bridge is tilted in the other direction, it allows boats and ships to pass under it. Gateshead Millennium has won numerous architecture awards for its design and its name "Viking Eye" because it resembles an eye that blinks every time the structure tilts.
Old Bridge of Bosnia
The old bridge was built in 1566 and successfully withstood the test of time until it was destroyed in 1993 during the Bosnian War. More than $13 million was spent restoring the bridge and surrounding buildings until it was finally restored and opened to the public in 2004.
Akashi Bridge in Japan
One of the greatest examples of Japanese engineering, the Akashi Bridge holds the record as the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a total length of 3,911 meters. It would take 4 Brooklyn bridges to cover that distance. It took 12 years to build this structure. Strangely, the bridge was not built with the intention of being the longest suspension bridge in the world, but in 1995, after an earthquake, additional sections had to be added, which gave Akashi his record. The total length of the bridge cables is 300,000 km. That's enough to circle the Earth 7.5 times!
Rialto Bridge in Italy
Built in the 15th century, it crosses the Grand Canal of Venice. The Rialto was first built in 1181 and was the only way to get to the other side of the Grand Canal. Only in 1551 did the authorities decide to modernize the bridge. The best architects, including Michelangelo and Palladio, proposed their designs, but the task was eventually given to Antonio da Ponte. Some architects were skeptical of his plans and predicted the bridge would fail, but he defied his critics and the bridge remains perfectly preserved to this day. The bridge's classical Venetian architecture was supplemented with nineteenth-century elements several centuries later. The Rialto was for a long time the only bridge crossing the Grand Canal and the only connection between the two sides of Venice, until more modern bridges were built.
Slauerhofbrug Bridge
No, this is not an optical illusion! This extremely quirky bridge is located in Leeuwarden. Due to the huge number of rivers and canals in the Netherlands, the high intensity of shipping and the same volume Vehicle, the country needed a bridge that could rise and fall quickly and benefit both the road and river navigation. This is how the Slauerhofbrug bridge came into being. Built in 2000 from iron and steel, the bridge is raised and lowered 10 times a day using hydraulics.
Octavio de Oliveira Bridge
Opened in 2008, the bridge in the city of Sao Paulo was built in 5 years. 450 workers were employed to build the Octavio de Oliveira Bridge. The design is unusual due to the X-shaped structures in the middle and the two levels of movement crossing each other as they pass through the support. The Oliveira Bridge is also decorated with LED lights that twinkle on special holidays. For example, at Christmas a bridge might be lit to look like a Christmas tree.
Falkirk Wheel
It's more than just a bridge thanks to its futuristic design. The Falkirk Wheel is the world's first and only boat lift! The structure can actually rotate 180 degrees. The boat floats down the canal to the lower tier, after which the structure turns around, lifting the boat to the top of the canal. This unique way channel connections, making it an exceptional feat of modern engineering.
Henderson waves
The bridge was designed to look like waves. Henderson Waves connects 2 parks in Singapore and offers ideal views of the surrounding beauty. At night, the structure is illuminated to add more beauty to its already artistic design. Henderson waves are made of steel and wood. Steel is needed for structural purposes, while wood enhances the beauty of parks. The bridge is equipped with benches and observation platforms, places for rest and excursion corners.
Sidu Bridge
Opened in 2009, Xidu Bridge is located 495 meters above the ground. This is higher than the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids of Giza and Big Ben. Sidu rises serenely above a river gorge in China's Hubei province, surrounded by mountains and forests. Construction was a challenge due to the remote location. It was not possible to use cranes, boats or helicopters. Engineers came up with an interesting idea to use rockets. More than 1,000 meters of cable were attached to the missiles, which were launched on the other side of the gorge. This is a unique location, and a unique way of construction.
Millau Bridge
The Millau Bridge is in the Book of Records as the tallest bridge in the world. The height of the technical masterpiece is 342 meters. The New York Times described it as a “triumph of engineering” and the BBC called it “one of the technical marvels of the 21st century.” French President Jacques Chirac opened the bridge in 2004 at a cost of approximately 394 million euros. The bridge itself crosses the Tarn River valley at Millot and offers drivers some of the most stunning views in all of France, sometimes even above the clouds.
Danyang-Kunshan Bridge
This bridge is the longest bridge in the world - it is 102 miles long. The railway bridge is part of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway. Construction began in 2006 and the project cost an incredible $8.5 billion. More than 450,000 tons of steel were used for the structure, with 10,000 workers constantly involved in the process. The Danyang-Kunshan Bridge etched its name in history for a long time.
Moses Bridge
This bridge was named after Moses because it literally splits the water in two. An innovative solution was implemented near a 17th century fortress. Initially, the bridge was supposed to be built across the moat around the fortress, but the architects had a desire not to disturb the image of the fortress. They decided to camouflage the bridge and run it along the waterline to make it almost invisible. This artistic design creates the illusion that you are walking across water and the bridge blends in with the landscape. It is made entirely of wood and is waterproof.
Khaju Bridge
The Khaju Bridge was built by the Persian king, Shah Abbas II, during the 17th century. It has 23 arches and the bridge also functions as a dam to control the waters of the Zayandeh River. The remains of stone chairs built for Shah Abbas II still remain here. Here he sat, admiring the performances. The central pavilion was built solely for his pleasure, originally as a tea house.
The Brooklyn Bridge
Built in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge has become a national historic landmark and a symbol of New York City. It is located behind the tall skyscrapers of New York. The bridge connects Manhattan with Brooklyn and crosses the East River. John A. Roebling designed the Brooklyn Bridge, but died shortly before construction began. His son, Washington Roebling, continued his work, but was himself stricken with illness and took up residence in an apartment overlooking the construction site. Emily Roebling, his wife, relayed his instructions to the workers and was effectively the chief engineer until the bridge was completed. At that time, this was a real technical feat. In 1884, a group of circus animals, including a herd of 21 elephants, were allowed across the bridge to prove that the bridge was stable.
Sydney Harbor Bridge
In 1815, Francis Greenway proposed building a bridge from the north to the south shore of the harbour. A number of designs were presented in 1890, but all turned out to be unsuitable. As a result, construction of the Harbor Bridge began only in 1924. It took 1,400 workers, 8 years and $6.6 million to finally complete the project. Six million rivets and 53,000 tons of steel were used in construction. Today it is one of the most recognizable bridges in the world, one of the symbols of Sydney.
Alexander III Bridge
Elegance - best word to describe this bridge located in Paris. Its construction began in 1896 and ended in 1900. The structure was built in the Art Nouveau style and decorated with statues of nymphs, cherubs, winged horses, angels, ships and ancient lamps along its sides, creating one of the most decorated bridges in the world. Even though it is in France, the bridge was named after Alexander 3rd, Emperor of Russia, to honor the Franco-Russian alliance. Alexander's son, Nicholas II, laid the first stone when construction began.
Banpo Bridge
This truly amazing bridge is located in Seoul and crosses the Han River. The bridge itself was actually created in 1982, but then restored in 2007. In 2009, the design included a fountain that shoots 190 tons of water per minute from each side of the bridge from 380 spouts. At night, Banpo's color resembles a rainbow thanks to its 10,000 LED lights, creating a variety of colorful effects. The water jets are dynamic and can move with the music. The Banpo Fountain Bridge is harmless to environment. Water is pumped directly from the river itself and continuously purified.
Golden Gate Bridge
Probably one of the most famous bridges in the world, the Golden Gate has become a symbol not only of San Francisco, but of the entire United States. Designed by engineer Joseph Strauss, this bridge was built to connect San Francisco to Marin County and cross the Sound. It took thousands of workers, 4 years, and $35 million to complete the project. When the bridge was completed in 1937, it broke 2 records, becoming the longest and highest suspension bridge in the world. The structure received international acclaim, had magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, defied critics, and was praised for its Art Deco design and its red color. The bridge's records would soon be broken in the future, but it still holds its popularity and iconic status to this day.
Tower Bridge
In the 19th century, London Bridge was the only way to cross the River Thames. As London grew, the East Side became a busy port, and it became obvious that a new bridge was needed. Planning began in 1884, when the design was selected from 50 designs. It took 8 years, 432 workers, and over 11,000 tons of steel to build what we now know as Tower Bridge. The Prince of Wales opened the bridge in 1894. The bridge has become one of the most recognizable in the world due to its iconic design. It has 2 towers at the ends of each bank. The middle section of the bridge can be raised up and down using hydraulics to allow ships to pass by. The bridge is not only a symbol of London, but of the whole of Great Britain.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge located in Florence and crossing the Arno River. It is so ancient that it dates back to Roman times. Destroyed by a flood in 1333, the Ponte Vecchio was rebuilt in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi. In 1565 Giorgio Vasar was commissioned to modernize the bridge and an upper corridor was added. This bridge is famous for having residential areas inside it. Originally, however, these were workshops where artisans produced their goods. In 1593 they were replaced by goldsmiths because they produced too much waste and caused a foul stench. The Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in Florence to survive World War II unscathed.
Bridges are an integral attribute of almost every river; they help overcome obstacles, thanks to them distances become shorter, and getting from point “A” to point “B” turns out to be more comfortable and faster. With the advent of new materials and technologies complex designs crossings are becoming a reality.
What is a bridge
Bridges are the continuation of a road over an obstacle. Most often they are laid through a water barrier, but they can also connect the edges of a ravine or canal. In connection with the development of transport infrastructure, bridges are being built in megacities for movement over roads, forming large interchanges. The main details of their design are spans and supports.
Classification of bridge structures
Types of bridges can be classified according to several criteria:
- according to the main purpose of use;
- constructive solution;
- building materials;
- depending on length;
- by service life;
- depending on the operating principle.
Since a man threw a tree from one bank of the river to get to the other, a lot of time has passed and a lot of effort has been put into the construction of engineering structures. As a result, different types of bridge designs emerged. Let's take a closer look at them.
Beam
The materials for their construction are steel, its alloys, reinforced concrete, and the first material was wood. The main elements of load-bearing structures of this type are beams and trusses, which transfer the load to the supports of the bridge base.
Beams and trusses form part of separate design, called "span". The spans can be split, cantilevered or continuous, depending on the connection scheme with the supports. The first of them have two supports on each edge, continuous ones can have a larger number of supports, depending on the need, and in a cantilever bridge the spans extend beyond the support points, where they are connected to subsequent spans.
Arched
For their manufacture, steel, cast iron, reinforced concrete casting or blocks are used. The first materials for the construction of this type of bridges were stones, cobblestones or monolithic blocks made from them.
The basis of the structure is the arch (vault). The connection of several arches by a road or railway track is an arch bridge. The roadbed can have two locations: above the structure or below it.
One of the varieties is a hybrid - an arched-cantilever bridge, where two semi-arches are connected at the top and resemble the letter “T”. An arched structure can consist of one span, and then the main load falls on the outer supports. If the bridge consists of several connected structures, then the load is distributed across all intermediate and outer supports.
Suspension bridges
The main materials for construction in this case are steel and reinforced concrete. Structures are erected in places where it is impossible to install intermediate supports. Load-bearing element are pylons connected by cables. To keep the bridge in a stable condition, the pylons are mounted on opposite banks, and a cable connection is pulled between them to the ground, where it is securely fixed. Vertical ones are attached to the stretched horizontal cables, also attaching chains that will support the bridge deck. Beams and trusses give rigidity to the canvas.
Cable-stayed bridges
Construction materials - steel, reinforced concrete. Like their suspended counterparts, their design involves pylons and cables. The difference is that the cable-stayed connection is the only one that connects the structure of the entire bridge, that is, the cables are not attached to horizontally tensioned carriers, but directly to the final supports, which makes the structure more rigid.
Pontoon
“Floating” crossings do not have a rigid frame and no connection with the shore. Their design is assembled from separate sections with a movable joint. A variation of this type of bridges are floating crossings. Most often, they are temporary structures that are used until ice is established on water barriers. They are dangerous during periods of strong roughness on the water, they make navigation difficult, and movement along them has restrictions for multi-ton trucks.
Metal bridges
Most modern bridges involve the use of metal in the load-bearing parts of the structures. For quite a long time, a metal bridge was considered the most durable look structures. Today, this material is an important, but not the only component of bridge connections.
Types of metal bridges:
- Arched structures.
- Viaducts with spans.
- Hanging, cable-stayed.
- Overpasses with supports made of reinforced concrete, where the spans are assembled from metal connections.
Metal structures have the advantage of being easy to assemble, which is why almost all types of railway bridges are built from this material. The metal parts are industrially manufactured in a factory and the size can be adjusted. Depending on the load-carrying capacity of the mechanisms with which the installation will be carried out, factory blanks for the future one-piece connection are formed.
The structure can be welded from parts directly at the final installation site. And if previously it was necessary to connect many parts of one span, now a crane with a lifting capacity of 3600 tons can easily carry and hoist an all-metal span onto supports.
Advantages of metal structures
Iron is rarely used as a material for bridge construction due to its poor corrosion resistance. High-strength steel and its compounds have become a popular material. Its excellent performance qualities can be assessed on projects such as cable-stayed bridges with huge spans. An example is the Moscow Bridge across the Dnieper in Kyiv or the Obukhovsky Bridge in St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg legends
There are an abundance of different types of bridges in St. Petersburg, there are also ancient ones that have become symbols of a bygone era, but their purpose has not changed, although they have acquired a flair of stories and romance. Thus, the Kiss Bridge attracts tourists with its name, but it comes from the name of the merchant Potseluyev, whose drinking house “Kiss” was located next to the crossing, and the name has nothing to do with romantic impulses.
The Liteiny Bridge has become overgrown with interesting legends, and the dramatic plot arose immediately upon its foundation. It is believed that one of the foundation stones of the supports was the Atakan sacrificial stone. Now he makes passers-by sad and provokes suicides. To appease the “bloody” boulder, some townspeople throw coins from the bridge into the Neva and pour red wine. Also, many claim that you can meet the ghost of Lenin at Liteiny.
Five longest bridges in Russia
Until the bridge across the Kerch Strait is built, the five large-scale crossings look like this:
- in Vladivostok. The length of the structure is 3100 m, the opening took place in 2012. The need for it was first thought about in 1939, but was implemented at the present stage.
- Bridge in Khabarovsk. Its length is 3891 m. It has two tiers. The lower one is open to rail traffic, and the upper one is open to road traffic. His image adorns the five thousand dollar bill.
- Bridge on the Yuribey River. It is located beyond the Arctic Circle in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The length of the structure is 2893 m.
- The bridge across the Amur Bay has a length of 5331 m. It was opened in 2012. It is interesting for its lighting system, which helps save up to 50% of electricity.
- across the Volga to Ulyanovsk. Its length is 5825 m. Construction took place over 23 years.
