13/05/2016

TOWERS & PYLONS

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

Function

To transmit forces to the ground

Main visual element

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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Pylons

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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40
CSB
SB
H/16
H/6
30

Size at
base [m]

20

10

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Tower or Pylon height [m]

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

Normandie Bridge, 1994, 856m span

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Sutong Bridge, China, 1088m

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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Towers

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

Brooklyn Bridge,
1883, 486m

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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Verrazano Narrows Bridge, 1964, 1298m

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

Severn Bridge, 1966, 987m

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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Storabelt Bridge, 1998, 1628m

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

Xihoumen Bridge, 西堠门大桥 , 2009, 1650m

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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Materials

Steel
Concrete

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

Concrete

Good for compression

Durable
Usually lowest material cost

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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Choice of Materials - Concrete

•Towers are subjected to high compressive stresses

and concrete is ideal in such circumstances.
•Advances in concrete construction and the use of
travelling form techniques which have reduced
construction times. Also allows good aerodynamic
shape to be used.
•Concrete towers have the advantages of low
maintenance costs and good durability, reducing
whole life costs.

Steel Towers
•Steel is preferred if a fast construction time is
required.

•Steel will also be lighter giving a potential saving

in foundation costs.

•The majority of fabrication of the steel work can

be in a fabrication shed where it is easier to ensure
good quality control.

•Steel towers will require periodic painting, adding

to the whole life costs of the bridge.

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Steel

Lighter weight on foundations

Faster to construct

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

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David Collings BSc CEng FICE

Making the complex simple

Principal factors affecting choice of

material
• Whole life costs
• Contractors experience
• Equipment and materials availability
• Aesthetics

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Rules of Thumb

Height of cable stayed bridge 20 –25% of main span

Height of suspension bridge 8 – 12% of main span

Suspension Bridges
Average width of tower legs in the longitudinal
direction 1/20 – 1/25 of the tower height.
Taper set so that the horizontal dimensions at
the top are 0.6 – 0.9 times the corresponding
dimensions at the base.

40
CSB
SB
H/16
H/6
30

Size at
base [m]

20

10

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Tower or Pylon height [m]

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Presentation by CRD and Wolf productions.

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