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FORM and FUNCTION:

The Expression of Truth & Beauty

Project Goals: To display how the form of a structure represents its intended use and function. The design process will necessitate a transformation of the original structure as the function is developed and accommodated. The transformation process, when successful, will result in beauty of expression in the form and components, as well as performing its intended function.

The Assignment:  Choose an existing fixed bridge and give it a moving component to allow a large boat to pass under the roadbed.

The Trick: Take a household gadget or everyday item, analyze its movement mechanism, then base the bridge opening mechanism on that. Change and transform the existing bridge structure to accommodate the mechanism. The mechanism must work and be structurally feasible.

BRIDGE/SPAN PROTOTYPES

Three Bridges were chosen to begin work. They covered 3 bridge types: Cantilever Truss, Arch and Cable-Stayed.

  Howrah Bridge, Calcutta, India

Howrah Bridge crop.jpg
Howrah CAD drawing.jpg

     190' span

Hell's Gate Bridge, Queens, NY

Hells Gate crop.jpg
Hell Gate CAD drawing.jpg

     190' span

Mariansky Bridge, Czech Republic

Mariansky Bridge Photo1 crop.jpg
Mariansky Bridge CAD drawing.jpg

     190' span

MOVEMENT ANALOGIES

3 common mechanical objects were chosen for their somewhat complex, yet comprehendible  mechanical movement. They are all inexpensive, hand-operated devices found around the kitchen, home or garage. The analysis of their movement would become the basis for the bridge-openeing device that would create a 30' x 40' high opening in the bridge span.

Vice Grip Clamp Tool.jpg

LARGE MOUTH

VICE GRIP PLIERS

Cabinet Hinge #2.jpg
Cabinet hinge #1.jpg

EUROPEAN CABINET HINGE

hedge trimmer photo.jpg

ONE HANDED

HEDGE TRIMMER

Vice Grip movement CAD drawing.jpg

LARGE MOUTH VICE GRIP PLIERS MOVEMENT

One Handed Hedge clipper movement CAD drawing.jpg

ONE HANDED HEDGE CLIPPER MOVEMENT

European Cabinet Hinge Movement CAD drawing.jpg

EUROPEAN CABINET HINGE, MOVEMENT FROM DOOR CLOSED TO DOOR 90 DEGREES OPEN

COMBINATION TABLE

( 3 movement analogies combined with 3 bridges and the necessary modification and transformation of the bridge structures necessary)

MECHANISM

(European Cabinet Hinge)

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

(Adapting the mechanism and the stayed-cable bridge structure to work together to accommodate movement and a 30' x 40' opening)

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