Brilliant engineers create masterpieces out of steel that delight the world and will last for generations. Here are a few that create awe in the observer.
Singapore boasts two of the most innovative bridges in the world, both of which are pedestrian bridges.
The Helix links Marina Bay to Marina Center. Special stainless steel cables were carefully crafted with minute precision to create this DNA-inspired bridge. Located near the floating platform, the steel cables wind around each other to form a double helix. The bridge has five observation platforms and often functions as an art gallery for children’s paintings.
Henderson Waves Bridge runs between Telok Blangah Hill Park and Mount Faber Park. It is constructed of seven curled steel ribs that go above and below the deck. Bamboo slats provide shelters along the way where people can sit and observe the wildlife in the parks. Pedestrians enjoy an amazing experience walking through the top of the forest between the parks. The bridge has some of the best views of the Southern Islands, the harbor and panoramic views of the city.
The Sidu River Bridge in China is the highest bridge in the world. It is located 1,627 feet above a river gorge in the middle of the forests and mountains of Hubei Province. China has held that record with three different bridges, but this one is special. It is 50 miles from the famous Three Gorges in the Yangtze River and is just one of many spectacular bridges along the G50 expressway.
One of the things that make it special is the method of construction. Rockets were used to place the pilot cable because it is so high that even helicopters could not do the job. More than 1000 meters of tether was attached to a rocket and shot across the gorge.
The bridge has 16,129 steel wires in each of the two main suspension cables and each cable can hold 191,960 kilonewtons. Considering the difficulty of construction, it is safe to say it will remain the highest bridge in the world for years.
A marvel when it opened in 1937, the span length has since been surpassed by eight other engineering feats. In spite of this, it is still one of the most beautiful and recognizable bridges in the world.
It was painted International Orange so it could be easily seen through the thick fog that regularly rolls through the Golden Gate, and connects San Francisco and Marin County with a main span of 4,200 feet. Each of the two cables that hold the roadway pass through the two main towers. They each have 27,572 strands of wire. The main cables have 80,000 miles of wire and the bridge has 1,200,000 rivets. It is the most photographed bridge in the world and has infinite beauty.
At sunrise or sunset, in fog or at night it offers a magical vision. It was ranked number five on the List of America’s Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects in 1999.
About The Author:
Jason Kane is a blogger for Federal Steel Supply, the preferred choice of the global community since 1979.
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