Title : ENRICHING NATURE THROUGH BRIDGE AESTHETICS
Authors : Alok Panday
Publication : 8 - 10, October 2015
Volume : 1
Pages :
Price : 250
Abstract : Arch bridges have been known for their unparalleled aesthetics since ages. Though there is very little or rather seems to be no scope to improve it further, an effort has yet been made to enhance it for various arch bridges constructed in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The present paper primarily discusses about the aesthetics and features of Baner khad bridge (NH88), Trilokpur bridge (NH20) and Nagrota nallah bridge (NH20) which have recently been constructed in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The Baner khad (river) bridge is a unique "unsymmetrical framed arch bridge" which not only has a distinct graceful look but also unmatched features of both arch bridges as well as integral bridges. The unsymmetrical shape of the bridge which was insisted by the presence of a small hillock towards one end of the bridge has added innocence to the bridge (Photo 1 & 2) as it did not involve painful destruction to the beautiful hilly surroundings. Trilokpur and Nagrota nallah bridges are open spandrel arch bridges of similar type (photo 3 & 4) with different span lengths and heights. Aesthetics of these two bridges has been further enhanced by introducing an opening with curved top in the piers and flaring the piers at the top with smooth curvature till edge of the carriageway. Doing this has added improved performance to the bridges too. All the bridges have been designed for the high seismic forces of zone V. Bearings have been completely eliminated from these bridges and expansion joints have been provided only at the junction of bridge and approach roads. The complexity of the shape specifically in the Baner khad bridge made the design interesting and created challenges while detailing the bridge at certain locations where reinforcing bars were passing in five different directions (photo 5 & 6).