HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOID

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The hyperbolic paraboloid presents a simplicity and a lightness in its geometric logic. The idea was to use this double curved geometry to create a bridge integrating both convex and concave curves. The final structure in fact is an asymmetric stretched hyperbolic paraboloid. In order to build it, we first thought of assembling the grid in plan, and then lifting up the edges, thus creating an arch. Each intersection would be bolted, allowing twisting of the beams during the process of the transforming it to its final shape. The bolts would afterwards be tightened. The structure was be kept in the final position by cables connecting the bottom extremities of the bridge and other cables blocking the deformation of the frames along the top curve. Alternatively the method that proved to be more successful was to mount the frames at an angle, and then bolt the diagonal beams to it, and finally bolt each intersection together.