The Rolling Bridge: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Curling moveable bridge in London}} |
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{{about||the Victorian-era retractable bridge|Guthrie rolling bridge|an example of the rolling [[bascule bridge]]|Pegasus Bridge}} |
{{about||the Victorian-era retractable bridge|Guthrie rolling bridge|an example of the rolling [[bascule bridge]]|Pegasus Bridge}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} |
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{{ |
{{EngvarB|date=August 2023}} |
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{{Infobox bridge |
{{Infobox bridge |
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| bridge_name = The Rolling Bridge |
| bridge_name = The Rolling Bridge |
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'''The Rolling Bridge''' is a type of curling [[ |
'''The Rolling Bridge''' is a [[kinetic sculpture]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rolling Bridge / Thomas Heatherwick – eVolo {{!}} Architecture Magazine |url=https://www.evolo.us/rolling-bridge-thomas-heatherwick/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |date=January 2016 |title=How would one determine the essential balance between form and function in the cases of four 21st century pedestrian bridges? |url=https://rhsib.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/occ_d_6_visar_eee_1305_1c_e.pdf |journal=International Baccalaureate Extended Essay |pages=9–10}}</ref> and a unique type of curling [[moveable bridge]], completed in 2004 as part of the [[Grand Union Canal]] office and retail development project at [[Paddington Basin]], [[London]]. |
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==Design== |
==Design== |
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[[File:The Rolling Bridge opening and closing ( |
[[File:The Rolling Bridge opening and closing (600px, 5x speed).ogv|thumbnail|255px|left|Video clip of opening and closing of the Rolling Bridge, at [[Paddington Basin]], London. The clip is shown in 5 times the original speed.]] |
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| ⚫ | The Rolling Bridge was conceived by [[Thomas Heatherwick]]. It consists of eight triangular sections hinged at the walkway level and connected above by two-part links that can be collapsed towards the deck by [[hydraulic cylinder]]s mounted vertically between the sections. When extended, it resembles a conventional [[steel]] and [[timber]] [[footbridge]], and is 12 metres long. To retract the bridge, the hydraulic pistons are activated and the bridge curls up until its two ends join, to form an [[octagon]]al shape measuring one half of the waterway's width at that point. |
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The Rolling Bridge was conceived by [[Thomas Heatherwick]]. |
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| ⚫ | The bridge won the [[British Constructional Steelwork Association|British Constructional Steelwork Association's]] British Structural Steel Design Award.<ref name=corus>{{cite web | title=37th Structural Steel Design Award Winners | url=http://www.corusconstruction.com/en/news_and_events/awards/structural_steel_design_award/2005/ | publisher=Corus | date=23 June 2005 | accessdate=28 May 2011}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The |
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==Disadvantages== |
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| ⚫ | The bridge won the British Structural Steel Design Award.<ref name=corus>{{cite web |
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The Rolling Bridge could theoretically allow the passage of boats, but the small basin behind the bridge is not open to canal traffic – it is currently occupied by a fountain, and blocked by a steel barrier at surface level to prevent boats entering.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Citation |title=The Rolling Bridge In London HD 2014 HD | date=January 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9jGPKItfkA |access-date=2023-04-10 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=doodlebug1700 |date=2021-01-27 |title=Correct. Spent 6 mon… |url=http://www.reddit.com/r/mechanical_gifs/comments/l5an71/the_rolling_bridge_in_paddington_london/gkw12yw/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=r/mechanical_gifs}}</ref> It also has a very long cycle time, taking 2–3 minutes to finish moving in either direction,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rolling Bridge – London {{!}} CECR |url=https://info.cecr.in/the-rolling-bridge-london/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |language=en-US}}</ref> which compares unfavourably with [http://www.stroudvalleyscanal.co.uk/swingBridges traditional hand-operated canal footbridges] and would cause delays on a waterway with frequent boat traffic. Finally, the detour around the open bridge is very short,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=OpenStreetMap |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=OpenStreetMap |language=en}}</ref> so the crossing is arguably not required at all. Thus, the project is primarily [[public art]] rather than a practical structure for navigation.<ref name=":1" /> |
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The high number of complex moving parts – fourteen [[Hydraulic cylinder|hydraulic rams]], numerous [[Bearing (mechanical)|precision bearings]], and an underground machinery chamber to provide the required oil pressure – can be seen as an example of [[overengineering]], and has led to maintenance failures where the bridge is unable to move for significant periods of time.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rolling Bridge (London) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186338-d3356697-Reviews-Rolling_Bridge-London_England.html |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Tripadvisor |language=en}}</ref> For these reasons, the design disregards established principles of architecture and civil engineering such as [[form follows function]].<ref name=":1" /> |
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A higher-profile water crossing in London also proposed by Heatherwick – the [[Garden Bridge]] – attracted significant criticism along similar lines for mainly targeting tourists as a novelty, rather than functioning as a practical water crossing. |
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=="Rolling" as a name and as a type== |
=="Rolling" as a name and as a type== |
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[[File:MovableBridge curl.gif|thumb |
[[File:MovableBridge curl.gif|thumb|240px]] |
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While its designer refers to this particular structure as "The Rolling Bridge" on his website, this should probably be regarded as the name for this particular bridge rather than a term to refer to its type, which could be more accurately described as a "curling bridge". This name is used by some to refer to this bridge.<ref>[http://www.heatherwick.com/rolling-bridge/ Heatherwick studio - Rolling Bridge<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite news | author= | title=46: Thomas Heatherwick, 35 | url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,23869-1761527,00.html | work=The Times | date=7 September 2005 | accessdate=28 May 2011}}</ref> At present, this curling bridge is the only one of its type known to be in existence. |
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Traditional use of the term "rolling bridge" dates from at least the [[Victorian era]], and is used to describe a type of retractable [[drawbridge]] used to span a ditch or moat surrounding a fortification. That type of bridge is not hinged, and remains horizontal when it is rolled inside the gates of a fort. Modern versions are called [[retractable bridge]]s or ''thrust bridges''. One particular version of the rolling bridge type was known as the [[Guthrie rolling bridge]], examples of which may still be seen at [[Fort Nelson, Portsmouth]]. Certain types of [[bascule bridge]]s roll on an arc; an example is the [[Pegasus Bridge]]. |
Traditional use of the term "rolling bridge" dates from at least the [[Victorian era]], and is used to describe a type of retractable [[drawbridge]] used to span a ditch or moat surrounding a fortification. That type of bridge is not hinged, and remains horizontal when it is rolled inside the gates of a fort. Modern versions are called [[retractable bridge]]s or ''thrust bridges''. One particular version of the rolling bridge type was known as the [[Guthrie rolling bridge]], examples of which may still be seen at [[Fort Nelson, Portsmouth]]. Certain types of [[bascule bridge]]s roll on an arc; an example is the [[Pegasus Bridge]]. |
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==Opening times== |
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The bridge is scheduled to |
The bridge is scheduled to open every Wednesday and Friday at noon, and every Saturday at 2 pm.<ref>{{cite web |title=Paddington Basin's Bridges in action |url=https://www.thisispaddington.com/article/see-the-fan-bridge-in-action |website=Paddington |accessdate=29 December 2018 |language=en |date=7 March 2017 |archive-date=29 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229171532/https://www.thisispaddington.com/article/see-the-fan-bridge-in-action |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{update-inline|date=June 2024}} |
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{{clear}} |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[Merchant Square Footbridge]] |
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* [[List of bridges in London]] |
* [[List of bridges in London]] |
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* [[Moveable bridge#Types of movable bridges|Moveable bridges]] for a list of other movable bridge types |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist|30em}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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[[Category:Thomas Heatherwick]] |
[[Category:Thomas Heatherwick]] |
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[[Category:Articles containing video clips]] |
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]] |
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[[Category:English inventions]] |
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[[Category:2004 establishments in England]] |
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Latest revision as of 02:21, 19 November 2024
The Rolling Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Half curled | |
| Coordinates | 51°31′06″N 0°10′29″W / 51.518390°N 0.174735°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Truss bridge |
| Material | Triangular steel segments, hydraulic actuators, lightweight deck |
| Total length | 12 metres (39 ft) |
| History | |
| Designer | Thomas Heatherwick Studio |
| Engineering design by | SKM Anthony Hunts and Packman Lucas |
| Constructed by | Littlehampton Welding Ltd |
| Construction end | 2005 |
| Construction cost | £500,000 |
| Location | |
 | |
| References | |
| [1] | |
The Rolling Bridge is a kinetic sculpture,[2][3] and a unique type of curling moveable bridge, completed in 2004 as part of the Grand Union Canal office and retail development project at Paddington Basin, London.
Design
[edit]The Rolling Bridge was conceived by Thomas Heatherwick. It consists of eight triangular sections hinged at the walkway level and connected above by two-part links that can be collapsed towards the deck by hydraulic cylinders mounted vertically between the sections. When extended, it resembles a conventional steel and timber footbridge, and is 12 metres long. To retract the bridge, the hydraulic pistons are activated and the bridge curls up until its two ends join, to form an octagonal shape measuring one half of the waterway's width at that point.
The bridge won the British Constructional Steelwork Association's British Structural Steel Design Award.[1]
Disadvantages
[edit]The Rolling Bridge could theoretically allow the passage of boats, but the small basin behind the bridge is not open to canal traffic – it is currently occupied by a fountain, and blocked by a steel barrier at surface level to prevent boats entering.[4][5][6] It also has a very long cycle time, taking 2–3 minutes to finish moving in either direction,[3][5][7] which compares unfavourably with traditional hand-operated canal footbridges and would cause delays on a waterway with frequent boat traffic. Finally, the detour around the open bridge is very short,[3][5][4] so the crossing is arguably not required at all. Thus, the project is primarily public art rather than a practical structure for navigation.[3]
The high number of complex moving parts – fourteen hydraulic rams, numerous precision bearings, and an underground machinery chamber to provide the required oil pressure – can be seen as an example of overengineering, and has led to maintenance failures where the bridge is unable to move for significant periods of time.[3][8] For these reasons, the design disregards established principles of architecture and civil engineering such as form follows function.[3]
A higher-profile water crossing in London also proposed by Heatherwick – the Garden Bridge – attracted significant criticism along similar lines for mainly targeting tourists as a novelty, rather than functioning as a practical water crossing.
"Rolling" as a name and as a type
[edit]
Traditional use of the term "rolling bridge" dates from at least the Victorian era, and is used to describe a type of retractable drawbridge used to span a ditch or moat surrounding a fortification. That type of bridge is not hinged, and remains horizontal when it is rolled inside the gates of a fort. Modern versions are called retractable bridges or thrust bridges. One particular version of the rolling bridge type was known as the Guthrie rolling bridge, examples of which may still be seen at Fort Nelson, Portsmouth. Certain types of bascule bridges roll on an arc; an example is the Pegasus Bridge.
Opening times
[edit]The bridge is scheduled to open every Wednesday and Friday at noon, and every Saturday at 2 pm.[9][needs update]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "37th Structural Steel Design Award Winners". Corus. 23 June 2005. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ "Rolling Bridge / Thomas Heatherwick – eVolo | Architecture Magazine". Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "How would one determine the essential balance between form and function in the cases of four 21st century pedestrian bridges?" (PDF). International Baccalaureate Extended Essay: 9–10. January 2016.
- ^ a b "OpenStreetMap". OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ a b c The Rolling Bridge In London HD 2014 HD, January 2015, retrieved 10 April 2023
- ^ doodlebug1700 (27 January 2021). "Correct. Spent 6 mon…". r/mechanical_gifs. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "The Rolling Bridge – London | CECR". Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ "Rolling Bridge (London) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ "Paddington Basin's Bridges in action". Paddington. 7 March 2017. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.