This article describes a sculptural timber footbridge design constructed in Norway. The design was developed from a sixteenth-century concept of a stone bridge by the artist Leonardo da Vinci. The Norwegian design follows the course of the lines of the original design but is interpreted in glued laminated (glulam) timber to produce a lighter and more minimalistic structure. The bridge consists of three non-hinged arches with a rounded triangular cross-section, the deck being supported by the main arch in the middle with a sag at both sides. As the timber is highly exposed to weathering, it required protection which was provided by several environmentally-friendly systems to repel water and prevent rot. This choice means the bridge will have a shorter life span than normally required but the aesthetic attraction outweighs the disadvantages.
Abstract