THE GOLDEN PROPORTION AND AESTHETIC DESIGN OF LONG-SPAN BRIDGES

In recent years there has been a revival in the debate between architects and engineers about the aesthetics of bridges and who should be responsible for designing them. This subject is examined, and it is suggested that an understanding of the basic concepts, common sense, and cooperation among professionals are all necessary for pleasing designs. Good harmonious proportions in three-dimensional space are essential for achieving aesthetic beauty. This is particularly true in the design of long-span bridges. It is not sufficient for bridges to be just functional and mathematically correct, nor is it acceptable for the advantages of modern construction to be exploited for economic benefit without due consideration of aesthetics and the environment. Since earliest times, structures and buildings that have become universally accepted as good examples of aesthetic beauty have good proportions as the foundation of their design. Countless proportional theories have been proposed in the search of aesthetic beauty, each finding favor from time to time. However, only the Golden Proportion is based on the dimensions and ratios of the human form. By illustrating how proportion has been incorporated into the composition of some recent bridges, it is found that the appropriate use of proportion accompanied by creative thought and judgment can result in aesthetic structures.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/1624-05
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=THE+GOLDEN+PROPORTION+AND+AESTHETIC+DESIGN+OF+LONG-SPAN+BRIDGES&author=R.+Yee&publication_year=1998
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309064694
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1624, Structural Analysis and Design: Bridges, Culverts, and Pipes.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Yee, R
• Publication Date: 1998

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 36-46
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1624
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aesthetics; Bridge design; Bridges; Long span bridges; Proportioning; Structural design
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00756070
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309064694
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Nov 2 1998 12:00AM