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WUH N UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYSCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ND RCHITECTURE

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Aesthetics is defined as: The science or study of the

quality of beauty an object possesses, and

communicates to our perceptions through our senses.

The aesthetic quality of a bridge involves our sensory

perception of it.

In recent years aesthetics has become an importantcomponent of bridge design, sometimes even more than

the structural or construction issues.

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Integration of aesthetics with the science and practice

of engineering.

Bridges for people

Bridges by people Place

Structurally expressive

form

Materials Colour

LightingRailroad Bridge, Beipanjiang River - ChinaOctavo Fras Bridge, Sao Paulo - BrazilSamuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin - Ireland

The Helix Bridge,Singapore

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Designers areresponsible for thelook of bridges andmust thereforeconsider appearanceas a major designimperative along withstrength, safety andcost.

Aesthetic outcomesrequire the effort of amultidisciplinary team. Curvy bridge Atlantic road , Norway

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Aesthetic principles need not be costly. For example,designing the right shape of a parapet, abutment or pier mighthave a negligible impact on costs but a significantimprovement visually.

If a bridge is designed to be as cheap as possible then it isunlikely that it will be of aesthetic value.

It is often the case that the cheapest bridge is not always the

most cost effective solution. Durability and quality are related.This interrelationship between cost and aesthetics isespecially important when the whole life cost of a bridge isconsidered.

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A lack of collaboration in the design process will affectthe aesthetic outcome.

Likewise a balance must be achieved, from the inception

of a project, between the requirements of the road

engineers and the bridge engineer.

Bridges are used and viewed by the surrounding

residents and the wider public.

It is important to communicate to the community the

essence of a design early enough in the bridge design

process.

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The ideal bridge is structurally straightforward and elegant.Society holds engineers responsible for the quality of their

work, including its appearance. For the same reasonengineers would not build a bridge that is unsafe, they shouldnot build one that is ugly.

There are no fast rules or generic formulas conducive to

outstanding visual quality in bridge design. Each bridge isunique and should be studied individually

Bosphorus bridge, Istanbul - Turkey