WHY DO YOU WANT TO ATTEND THE COMPETITION?

 We are concerned about the future of bridges as recent events (e.g Genoa bridge, Italy) have
shown that bridges that have been unsustainably designed in the past are in dangerous state
of disrepair today.
 Therefore, we want to work towards finding innovative design principles, construction and
maintenance methods and materials that would make bridge design more environmentally-
friendly and cost effective.
 We want to make a positive impact on the environment and improve our experience of it
through a holistic approach to bridge design from its conception, to its implementation,
operation and maintenance.

WHY IS SUSTAINABILITY IMPORTANT FOR ENGINEERS?

 Sustainable infrastructure/bridges are more economical to operate, maintain and replace,

resulting in lower whole life costs (Value engineering).
 Engineers play a significant role in the planning, design and construction of infrastructure that
supports and connects communities as well as fostering social inclusion and the social aspect
is one of the three pillars of sustainability.
 Construction activities have a huge impact on the environment and in order to address the
problem of climate change, engineers have a responsibility to find infrastructure solutions
that help lower carbon emissions

DESIGN BRIEF

•How will the use of natural materials, energy consumption, and environmental resources be kept at
a minimum during construction?

•How would the use of recycled or waste materials be included in the design, and what use would
be made of the materials at the end of life of the bridge?

•How will the design ease ongoing operation and maintenance demands in order to minimise whole
life cost and environmental impact?

•Is the bridge designed to be aesthetically pleasing while contributing positively to the local scenery
and support or preserve historic or cultural heritage?

•Will the bridge create a more connected community?

•How will the bridge integrate, encourage and prioritise walking, cycling and other means of non-
motorized or low-impact transportation? How does it contribute to the physical and mental well-
being of the communities it serves?

•To what extent does the bridge minimise or ease traffic congestion and so reduce the
environmental impacts such as noise pollution and air quality?

•Can the bridge adapt to a changing world and how we use our infrastructure?
•How does the bridge design minimise ecological or environmental impacts on the waterways it
crosses?

SUSTAINABLE BRIDGE EXAMPLES

1. In one prime example of sustainable design, a team of designers gave the DSSH Pedestrian
Bridge the ability to generate its own power and clean its own air with a curated selection of
plants.
2. The Copenhagen Harbor LM Project spans two skyscrapers that use seawater to heat and
cool the building.
3. North Carolina’s Linn Cove Viaduct, built in the late ’80s, is still hailed by some as one of the
greenest bridge designs in the U.S. Its designers minimized impact on the environment from
the earliest stages. The final design, which hovers well above the treetops, was cast in
concrete in sections, then flown to the site. This eliminated ground-level construction and
the need for temporary roads. Precast, prestressed concrete is also more durable than
structures poured on-site, which means they should outlast buildings built with less
sustainable methods.
4. The Scotney Bridge, on the A21 in England, is a picture-perfect example of building in a way
that minimizes harm to the environment. The overpass is essentially a land bridge, which
allows wildlife to cross the road safely and even provides nesting grounds for some species.