• Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (Structural Engineer)• MADWORKSHOP (Project Sponsor)• Gigante AG (Architect)• Brown Osvaldsson Builders (General Contractor)

ARROYO BRIDGE

SEAOSC/SEAOC 2021 EXCELLENCE IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING AWARDS

SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER

The Arroyo Bridge is an 80-foot-long pedestrian bridge with two intermediate supports designed to simulate leafage and blend into the Southern California landscape, only becoming visible upon approach. The structure spans a large, steep-sided canyon, opening up previously unavailable space and breathtaking views of vibrant foliage and wildlife. The bridge’s design concept was created and developed by students from the University of Southern California (USC), in partnership with The Martin Architecture and Design Workshop (MADWORKSHOP) founded by David and Mary Martin. The bridge was fabricated in conjunction with Autodesk at the Autodesk Technology Center in Boston, using next-generation intuitive robot programming software to use robotic arms for precision fabrication in the shop. Using bolted connections along the length of selected members, the bridge was disassembled into segments and reassembled on site. The structural design had many challenges, including complex load paths, weight eccentricity coupled with narrow and asymmetric pier supports, global buckling failure modes, construction sequencing failure modes, constructability accommodations, and detailing of congested and unique connections.

Photo by James Ewing

Photo courtesy of Gigante AG

Photo courtesy of Gigante AG

Photo courtesy of Gigante AG

Photo courtesy of Gigante AG

Photo courtesy of Gigante AG

Image courtesy of Gigante AG