A
Concept
on
Helix Bridge Structure of Marina Bay,
Singapore
By
Bist Sushant
19SF33289
School of Civil Engineering, HIT
1 INTRODUCTION
The Helix Bridge is a landmark pedestrian bridge in Singapore, comprising a walkway
surrounded by opposing double helix structures made from stainless steel (Duplex stainless
Steel). The design was inspired by the geometric helicoidal arrangement of DNA, which is seen
as a symbol of continuity and renewal. The 280 m long bridge is the first double-helix bridge in
the world and forms part of a 3.5 km continuous waterfront walkway, linking the Marina Centre,
the waterfront area and a large resort. It is a very lightweight structure built almost entirely using
duplex stainless steel.
Figure 1- 1 General View of Helix Bridge
2 DESIGN CONCEPT
While a single helix would untwist when it is loaded, two helices can form a bridge when they
run in opposite directions and interconnect by a series of struts and tie rods – reminiscent of the
double helix of DNA with its base chemical bridges. The rods connect the two spirals together
and at the same time, maintain the consistent distance between the spirals. This gives structural
strength and stiffness to the bridge, making it a competent structure.
Figure 2- 2 Complex Double Helix structure
The major and minor helices, which spiral in opposite directions, have an overall diameter of
10.8 m and 9.4 m respectively, about 3-storeys high. The outer helix is formed from six tubes
(273 mm in diameter) which are set equidistant from one another. The inner helix consists of five
tubes, also 273 mm in diameter.
This bridge has 4 supporting piers in the bay. A top each of the piers, a pair of inverted tripod
supports, fabricated from large diameter tapered circular hollow sections (concrete filled), split
the structure into 5 spans. Three 66-meter (217-foot) internal spans and two 41-meter (134-foot)
end spans make up the superstructure.
The bridge deck is 6 meters (20 feet) wide. It is suspended in the center of the tubular structure
and spans 2.7 meters (9 feet) between deck beams. The deck beams span 9 meters (30 feet) from
one side of double helix ‘tube’ to the other.
The tubes travel longitudinally along the bridge, twisting around the centroid of the group at a
pitch of 5.5 degrees of rotation per meter length. The inner helix set consists of 5 tubes. Similar
to the outer tubes, they are set equidistantly but on a 9.4-meter diameter circle. Balancing the
outer tubes, the inner tubes twist counter-clockwise around the centroid of the group at a pitch of
6.5 degrees per meter. The two group center points coincide laterally, but the inner group is
vertically lower by 2.7 meters (9 feet). This offset enables the two helices to interconnect at deck
level.
Figure 2- 3 Schematic View of Deck from Below
Independently, the helices are incapable of such a span. To develop capacity, the two groups are
linked together forming a tube-in-tube structure. The link is provided by cross frames which
stabilize, engage and load the tubes. The cross frames are set at 2.7-meter spacing along the
length of the bridge. Each frame consists of a deck beam, struts, and ties. The deck beam spans
the circular cross-section, connecting at the points where the inner and outer helices overlap.
Figure 2-4Detail of Helical framing system and walkway
Both the inner and outer helix tubes have a ring of strut elements linking adjacent helix tubes.
The helix ties link the inner helix tubes with adjacent outer helix tubes above the deck level. The
deck beams serve to support the deck and transfer its load to the ring tubes. The ring tubes
distribute the load from the deck beams to all of the helix tubes. The ring tubes and ties work
further to stabilize the helix members by directing their unraveling forces to act as restraint
against one another. The load path and behavior are similar for both vertical and lateral loads.
Figure 2- 5 Parts of the Helix Bridge
Prior to specifying materials, or even finalizing the designs, the bridge was fully modelled using
three-dimensional software in order to visualize its form and geometrical compatibility, as well
as to visualize the pedestrian experience on the bridge. Non-linear analysis was also carried out
to assess the response under various load cases and to analyses the serviceability requirements
such as vibration.
3 CONCLUSION
The innovative, double-helix structure of the Marina Bay Pedestrian Bridge is truly a world-first
in architecture and engineering design. This was made possible by the synergy of design
disciplines sparked by the creative collaboration of engineers and architects from the early stages
of conception. The design process for the project was entirely forward-looking, breaking from
historical approaches. This vision, spurred by creativity and imagination, was carried from
concept to delivery and provided an efficient solution for the complex, landmark structure.
