卢浦大桥 - The Lupu Bridge

啊呀！ i wanted this to show up in my architecture group...anybody advise me on how to move it??

Amber,

good to hear you have done the Lupu bridge...i will definitely check it next time...anyone have pics from the top of that thing??

BTW...anyone know how to say "viewpoint" in chinese...how would you ask, "where is the viewpoint??"

I think that might be a good thing for a tourist to know.

RJ, I study at the Newschool of Architecture & Design here in San Diego.

Just amazing. It looks like that the bridge “盧浦大橋” has a rather complicated structure, which is not a simple arch bridge. I love bridges (...caus I majored bridge engineering at university, despite the fact I hate math!)

For the record, below are other “record-breaking” bridges in China. Actually, bridge construction technology in China is excellent. Urbandweller, thanks for uploading these nice photos.

杭州湾大桥 (Hangzhou Bay Bridge) 
The longest trans-oceanic bridge in the world. Total length 36km.
http://images.google.cn/images?complete=1&hl=zh-CN&newwindow=1&q=%E6%9D%AD%E5%B7%9E%E6%B9%BE%20%20%E5%A4%A7%E6%A1%A5&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

苏通长江公路大桥 (Sutong Bridge)
This cable-stayed bridge has the longest main span (1088m) in the world.
http://images.google.cn/images?complete=1&hl=zh-CN&newwindow=1&q=%E8%8B%8F%E9%80%9A%E9%95%BF%E6%B1%9F%E5%85%AC%E8%B7%AF%E5%A4%A7%E6%A1%A5&lr=lang_zh-CN&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

龙潭河特大桥 (Longtanhe Bridge, 湖北, under construction)
This bridge has the tallest piers (among PC bridges) in the world.
http://images.google.cn/images?complete=1&hl=zh-CN&newwindow=1&q=%E9%BE%99%E6%BD%AD%E6%B2%B3%E7%89%B9%E5%A4%A7%E6%A1%A5&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

@sushan - i also wonder that...maybe cpod or cassielin could help us with that one....

@ Changye

thanks for adding to the discussion with more bridges...I just think they are such magnificient stuctures. We have some nice ones here in American but there is something special about Chinese ones!

you know, i remember crossing over the Lupu on the way to dinner one night with friends. There was an amazing view of the city and i remember looking up and see that beautiful arch above with chinese writing on it! I didn't know at that time about it's signifigance. Next time i go i will surely take a tour of it and get some cool pics.

Changye, you majored in engineering?? So was it for civil and/or structural engineering? Did you work on any significant projects in Asia? Thats funny you hate math because thats all engineers do 24/7!! I also hate math BUT i dont have to worry too much about it. As an architect, i have to have a good idea about how to use the different materials and how the structure will work...BUT ultimatly its up to my consultant engineers to crunch the tedious numbers and make it stand up without falling over in an earthquake!!

I'm also amazed by bridges, their designs, and their engineering.  I have crazy respect for the engineers of bridges - Changye, now I have even more respect for you and think you are even more 聪明！！

My all-time favorite bridge designer/engineer is Santiago Calatrava.  His bridges are absolute works of art, very sculptural and beautiful.  He has bridges (and structures) all over the world, but I'm not sure if he has any in China.  I think he must.  Here are a few of his designs:

His buildings are even more amazing than his bridges, often able to open and close and move in other interseting things.

Here is the Chicago Spire which is currently in construction.  I can't wait to see this when it's completed.  It will be the tallest skyscraper in Chicago, and the 7th tallest in the world.

If you want to see a really cool video (very short) of the Spire, go here:

http://www.thechicagospire.com/

calkins! I also am facinated by Calatrava's works...he is truely an artist/ engineer/architect extraordinaire!!

I agree Adam, he is a genius.  I've searched the web high and low but I can't find any work that he's done in China.  This really surprises me, especially with China's modernism and appreciation for great design.

Anyone know of any work in China done by him?

非常 漂亮。 Makes me wonder what what words you would use to describe a nice building or other structure in Chinese, to convey elegance in design.

I love the bridges too. I dont think Santiago Calatrava has done anything in China yet. 

Adam, where are you studying architecture?

Walking up the steps and over the top of the Lupu Bridge was one of the best things I've ever done in Shanghai.  There is a viewpoint platform at the top. Very cool at night.

Hi urbandweller,

I majored in civil engineering at university, a quarter-century ago, and the theme of my graduation thesis was “An analysis of a three-span continuous steel bridge” or something like that, perhaps. Unfortunately and regrettably, my current job has absolutely nothing to with engineering. Such is life, isn’t it?

One of my “old glories” is the seashore road bridge that had the longest total length (3.3km) in Japan 25 years ago, of which pier foundations were very difficult to design. I was lucky enough to participate in its architectural planning after graduation, although I was only one of many engineers in the project.

Don’t compare this to the works of Calatrava, please!
http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/bridge_tripper/bridge-oyashirazu.htm

By the way, have you ever seen this video? I’ve seen it many times on television before. It was a terrible disaster, but at the same time, it taught a good lesson to bridge engineers at that time. Tacoma Bridge was destroyed because of the sympathetic vibration caused by (weak) wind. The bridge was too slender.

Collapse of Tacoma Narrows Bridge
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Fi1VcbpAI

Such is life - you are right Changye. I have two degress in Chemistry but that is not what I am doing. I too regret it but you have to eat. The Tacoma bridge I remember was used as an example of harmonic frequency in physics class. They learned a tough lesson. The only civil engineering experience I have is that I worked construction for several summers pouring concrete streets. It gave me a new appreciation for the hard work these guys do. I dont think I would have survived a career of this.

funny i was going to ask you the same thing Brent!