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CHAPTER 2
BRIDGE ARCHITECTURE
AND AESTHETICS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.3.2
2.3.3
2-i
2.4.15
2-ii
CHAPTER 2
BRIDGE ARCHITECTURE
AND AESTHETICS
2.1
INTRODUCTION
Well executed architectural design and aesthetic treatment solutions are vital to
developing a legacy of safe, functional, and beautiful Caltrans structures. The Bridge
Architecture and Aesthetics Design Branch works in a coordinated effort with the
Division of Engineering Services Project Engineers, and District design personnel, to
insure quality, safe, and beautiful structures on the states highway system. The
coordination and integration of complimentary design disciplines (e.g., bridge
architecture and bridge engineering), are the keys for successful structure design and
delivery. Utilizing an orderly design effort, the Division of Engineering Services
Project Engineers, Bridge Architecture & Aesthetics Design Branch, and District staff,
reduce the chance of late scope changes for aesthetics during the structures design
phase. Late changes are undesirable and may cause delays in project delivery, increase
costs, and can result in projects with poor visual appearance. This chapter presents
current Caltrans bridge architecture and aesthetics design guidelines and practice. For
general bridge aesthetics, references are made to AASHTO (2010), Billington (1983
and 2003), Gottemoeller (2004 and 2014), and Leonhardt (1983 and 2014).
2.2
2.2.1
2-1
2.2.2
2.2.3
2-2
Branch is also instrumental in the development of aesthetic guidelines, and details for
planned structures that would be acceptable to both the Department and the
community.
The BA&A Design Branch solicits and receives aesthetic input from the Districts,
public groups, and from local officials, as a necessary part for gaining acceptance and
cooperation of major highway projects affecting the highway corridor. The Branchs
proactive design approach addresses future visual impacts by providing anticipated
aesthetic strategies to address and/or mitigate those impacts. The Department is then
able to achieve an overall strategic plan for visual continuity between geographically
related highway structures, and correspondingly, aesthetically pleasing highway
corridors.
Route and corridor themes are established by what is made visible to the traveling
motorist. Overcrossing structures usually represent the aesthetic theme for state
highway routes. Undercrossings and viaducts may vary from a particular route theme
since these structures are usually not within the highway drivers focused viewing area.
Other variations to the overall route theme are applied when local needs are considered
during the aesthetics design phase. Water and valley-crossings, and structures on scenic
routes are usually considered special designs, and may also vary from the aesthetic
route theme.
2.2.4
Illustrations:
Models:
2-3
Study models are the second type of models produced by the Branch.
This model type is developed using 3D CADD printing technology.
These models are limited in size, and therefore, are mainly produced to
focus on various components of structure design (e.g., column detail
studies, railing studies, superstructure studies, etc.) during the
structures design phase.
Services:
2.2.5
2.3
Level 1 =
Level 2 =
Level 3 =
Level 4 =
2-4
2.3.1
2.3.1.1
General
The Advanced Planning Study (APS) phase is a planning activity that may occur
several years in advance of initiating structure design. The basic objective of the APS is
to develop a feasible structure type with an appropriate cost for a future structure
project. This activity includes identifying potential applicable structure design/cost
alternatives, and reaching consensus with internal/external stakeholders on those
alternatives addressed.
The BA&A Design Branch supports the APS effort through early identification of
aesthetic requirements that may affect the appearance and cost of structures. Projects
that may have substantial requirements for architectural treatment, thus increasing
costs, are those projects located within corridors of environmentally and politically
sensitive areas (e.g., large retaining wall projects, or any project having substantial
community involvement).
Where there is less environmental and public sensitivity, the BA&A Design Branch
continues using a disciplined approach for making the best possible aesthetic
recommendations. All structures on State routes receive aesthetic recommendations
that reflect the latest artistic, technological, and safety innovations in structure design.
The aesthetic recommendation may be in the form of a brief comment, or it may result
in a thorough investigation into several alternatives with preliminary design and
drawing support.
2.3.1.2
2-5
2.3.2
2.3.2.1
2.3.2.2
2.3.2.3
2-6
2.3.2.5
2-7
2.3.2.6
2.3.3
2.3.3.1
2.3.3.2
2.3.3.3
2.3.3.4
2-8
PS&E Expedite Package, BA&A addresses all aesthetics comments on the Draft
Structures PS&E for incorporation into the Final Structures PS&E.
2.4
2.4.1
2-9
2.4.2
2-10
2.4.3
Overcrossings
2-11
2.4.4
Undercrossings
2-12
2.4.5
Pedestrian Bridges
2-13
2-14
2.4.6
Viaducts
Figure 2.4.6-1 Doyle Drive High Viaduct Rendering District 4 Route 101
2-15
2.4.7
Interchanges
2-16
2.4.8
Bridge Columns/Bents
(a)
(b)
(d)
Figure 2.4.8-1
(c)
(e)
(f)
2-17
2.4.9
2-18
2.4.10
Slope Paving
2-19
2-20
2-21
2-22
2-23
2-24
(a)
(b)
(c)
2-25
2-26
2-27
Fractured Rib
Split Slate
Split Face
Heavy Sandblast
Combined Textures
Figure 2.14-6 Concrete Retaining Wall Surface Treatment Examples
Chapter 2 Bridge Architecture and Aesthetics
2-28
2-29
2-30
2-31
2.4.17 Rocksheds
2-32
(a)
(b)
( c)
(d)
2-33
2-34
2-35
2-36
REFERENCES
1. AASHTO. (2010). Bridge Aesthetics Sourcebook. American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials, Washington, DC.
2. Billington, D. P. 1983. The Tower and The Bridge: The New Art of Structural Engineering.
Basic Books, Inc., New York, NY.
3. Billington, D. P. (2003). The Art of Structural Design, a Swiss Legacy. Princeton
University Art Museum, Princeton, NJ.
4. Gottemoeller, F. (2004). Bridgescape, The Art of Designing Bridges. 2nd Ed., John Wiley
& Sons, Inc., New York, NY.
5. Gottemoeller, F. (2014). Chapter 3: Bridge Aesthetics: Achieving Structural Art in Bridge
Design, Bridge Engineering Handbook, 2nd Edition: Fundamentals, Ed. Chen, W.F. and
Duan, L., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
6. Leonhardt, F. (1983). BridgesAesthetics and Design, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.
7. Leonhardt, F. (2014). Chapter 2: Aesthetics: Basics, Bridge Engineering Handbook, 2nd
Edition: Fundamentals, Ed. Chen, W.F. and Duan, L., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
2-37
2-38