Form & Function
"Form follows Function"
Bridge Span Prototypes
When designing, we must consider how the form affects the function of a structure. The objective of this project was to analyze how a structure can be modified to meet the needs of the project. By adding a moveable element to an existing bridge span, we had to reshape the structure in order to accommodate this new feature.
Movement Analogies
Each one of these common household objects has a unique movement that when incorporated into the bridge spans, it would raise a portion of the roadbed for boats to pass through. The required gap is 30' x 40'.
Wine bottle opener
Phone holder
Umbrella
3x3 Combination Table
Design Process
In order to accommodate the 30' x 40' space, I offset the arch of the bridge towards the right side. I chose to use the umbrella as the mechanism to move the roadbed and construct members around it to support it. There is a roller at the top of the structure that pulls the sliding piece of the umbrella with the use of cables; which causes the umbrella to fold and extend.
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This design demonstrates form follows function because the design of the existing span is transformed in order to accommodate the channel.
Mechanism
Final Design
