Frame and Form

In Rotterdam, stands one of the most emblematic cable-stayed bridges in the world: The bridge or Erasmusbrug Erasmo. Situated in the port of Rotterdam, over the river Maas Niewe, and provide a new connection between downtown and a new neighborhood (head south) located south.

Designed by architect Ben Van Berkel (UN Studio), opened in 1996. In the structural area is an important bridge, since it consists of a cable-stayed span of 280 m span and a weighbridge 89 m, which is one of the world's largest of its kind.

Formally, the pylon is absolutely unique in its bankruptcy, that makes it unique and recognizable among all modern cable-stayed bridges. This is so characteristic gives the bridge its nickname popular “De Zwaan”, that is, swan.

Apparently the formal bankruptcy is a whim of the designer who goes against the structural logic of the pylon. Far from reality: The pylon was designed so that the resultant of the forces and held that the straps are anchored at the upper vertical, were oriented at the inclined alignment of the lower. Therefore the resultant passes through the base of the pylon as a conventional cable-stayed bridge.

From the time of its inauguration, Erasmus Bridge, broken from its pylon 139 m high, has become an icon, in a brand image of the city of Rotterdam. So great is their success as they Rotterdam logo, in year 2004, architect Ben van Berkel claimed their copyrights, for photos and reproductions of the bridge that were sold.

Photos: wikipedia.org, skycrapercity.com