The paper presents the results of a computational assessment of prestressed cable networks braced against slender hoop bearing systems to form wide span bridging structures; these may be classified as hoop tensegrity structures. The main subject of the study is a continuous multi-span network bridge system suitable for enclosed transport from suburban to more central city areas; the example chosen is a street scale network bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and small electric vehicles. A less efficient single bridge with only one main span and two cantilever spans is also considered. The performance of the system is assessed in relation to typical code requirements and compared briefly with an equivalent conventional boxed truss structure.
website: ICAMA 2013
Image our rendering for a single boom tubular network bridge