*3.3.3 Coatzacoalcos bridge: Mexico infrastructure*

The cable-stayed bridge located in Veracruz, Mexico consists of two main reinforced concrete towers that support the main deck with cable tensors and the slab stiffened by two reinforced concrete girders. The structure has a total length of 3838 feet (1170 m) and a span length of 944 feet (288 m). **Figure 10** shows an overview of the structure.

> The bridge consists of 15 supports, 14 sections and the main structure. The towers and secondary columns are made of reinforced concrete; the main girder is shaped like a drawer with reinforced concrete and the cable tensors supporting the main deck are made of structural steel. It was inaugurated in 1984 and considered

This cable-stayed bridge is located in the city of Jerusalem and has a total span of

The main feature of this bridge belongs to the architecture and geometry. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava, a world-renowned architect and engineer, and the user can recognize the structure as an unconventional bridge. As shown in **Figure 11**, we can see the special geometry of the main tower and each of the cable tensors, showing a harp shape. In addition, the main deck has a curved form.

The structure was inaugurated in 2008 marking a symbol in the city of Jerusalem. Due to the great height of the main tower and its harp-shaped geometry, the

Due the large number of variables on the conceptual design of a structure, there is no special formula for determining the best option of a bridge. Many variables come into play, from the experience of the engineers and architects, to the specific needs of the place, such as topography, soil characteristics and materials availability. There are several models to describe the general process of design, built, opera-

tion and maintenance of a bridge in a general way. One of the most compact

The process for any bridge design consists of input data, regulations, design

flowcharts was proposed by Addis [13], shown in **Figure 12**.

1181 feet (360 m). The bridge aims to help the city light trail system and the structure consists of a main tower connecting the structural steel slab using 70 steel

one of the largest structures in Mexico.

*Jerusalem cable-stayed bridge [12].*

**Figure 11.**

cables and reinforced concrete supports.

*3.3.4 Jerusalem bridge: architecture and modernity*

*Bridges: Structures and Materials, Ancient and Modern DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90718*

bridge can be appreciated from any place of the city.

**4. Bridges construction and materials**

process and results, explained as follows:

**105**

**Figure 9.** *Tacoma narrows suspension bridge, under aerodynamic vibrations [10].*

**Figure 10.** *Coatzacoalcos II cable-stayed bridge overview [11].*

*Bridges: Structures and Materials, Ancient and Modern DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90718*

**Figure 11.** *Jerusalem cable-stayed bridge [12].*

a. Very high slenderness ratio of the bridge.

*Infrastructure Management and Construction*

structures, including bridges of very large spans.

*3.3.3 Coatzacoalcos bridge: Mexico infrastructure*

*Tacoma narrows suspension bridge, under aerodynamic vibrations [10].*

overview of the structure.

**Figure 9.**

**Figure 10.**

**104**

*Coatzacoalcos II cable-stayed bridge overview [11].*

b. Use of girders instead of truss as deck stiffener.

c. Obstruction of air flow due the girder itself, causing whirlwind.

After this event, studies on aerodynamics and aero-elasticity topics in the structures increased significantly, developing procedures to simulate these events on

The cable-stayed bridge located in Veracruz, Mexico consists of two main reinforced concrete towers that support the main deck with cable tensors and the slab stiffened by two reinforced concrete girders. The structure has a total length of 3838 feet (1170 m) and a span length of 944 feet (288 m). **Figure 10** shows an

> The bridge consists of 15 supports, 14 sections and the main structure. The towers and secondary columns are made of reinforced concrete; the main girder is shaped like a drawer with reinforced concrete and the cable tensors supporting the main deck are made of structural steel. It was inaugurated in 1984 and considered one of the largest structures in Mexico.

#### *3.3.4 Jerusalem bridge: architecture and modernity*

This cable-stayed bridge is located in the city of Jerusalem and has a total span of 1181 feet (360 m). The bridge aims to help the city light trail system and the structure consists of a main tower connecting the structural steel slab using 70 steel cables and reinforced concrete supports.

The main feature of this bridge belongs to the architecture and geometry. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava, a world-renowned architect and engineer, and the user can recognize the structure as an unconventional bridge. As shown in **Figure 11**, we can see the special geometry of the main tower and each of the cable tensors, showing a harp shape. In addition, the main deck has a curved form.

The structure was inaugurated in 2008 marking a symbol in the city of Jerusalem. Due to the great height of the main tower and its harp-shaped geometry, the bridge can be appreciated from any place of the city.
