In partnership with Carsey3D, Massive Form speculates multiple pedestrian bridges that are made of 3d printed concrete parts post-tensioned with steel cables.
Our proposed bridge design is very similar to natural structures where the geometry of the structure precisely follows the direction of the force flow within the system. It goes beyond compression only by embracing tension as an unavoidable force in systems resilient to different loading scenarios. Hence, a combined structural design and fabrication approach was developed to achieve the innovative structure with the intention of also minimizing carbon through reduced materials and recyclability.
Through the design freedom enabled by the design approach, 3D concrete printing, and the use of post-tensioning, the final design favorably has minimal reinforcement while achieving the desired structural performance. Overall, the bridge demonstrates how new structural forms can be achieved by combining modern technologies and developing a non-restrictive, comprehensive design approach that leads to more sustainable practices.
Design Team
Conceptual Design and detailing:
Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh and Dr. Hua Chai
Industry partnership: Carsey3D, Sika Group Switzerland
Visualization: Fortes.vision
Proof of Concept Development
This concept was developed based on the research conducted at the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory in collaboration with multiple academic institutions and and Please visit the following link for the full list of contributors.
Structural and Computational Design of the 5 and 10m beam
Masoud Akbarzadeh, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Teng Teng, Pouria Vakhshouri, Amir motavaselian, and Mathias Bernhard (Polyhedral Structural Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania)
Structural Analysis and Material Calibration:
Damon (Mohammad) Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia (Advanced Building Construction Lab, City College Of New York)
Industry Partner:
Karolina Pajak, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset (Sika Group Switzerland)
Structural Engineering Consultant:
Paul Kassabian, Blaise Waligun (Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Group Boston)
Structural Test (Full-Scale):
Cerib France, Eiffage
Structural Test (Half-Scale):
Joseph Yost, Jorge Huisa Chacon (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University)