OPAC Consulting Engineers

Stonecutters Bridge


Hong Kong

Client:

Hong Kong Government

Date:

Design competition completed 2000

Scope of work:

Design Competition

Construction cost:

N/A

Services Performed:

  • Bridge type selection
  • Concept design

Issues:

  • Record span cable-stayed bridge design
  • High aesthetic standard.

In November of 1999, the Hong Kong Government issued an invitation for the design competition of the Stonecutters Bridge. As a member of a pre-qualified team, OPAC was responsible for the development of the cable-stayed bridge entry.

OPAC's proposed bridge consists of a 1,600m continuous orthotropic steel box girder, supported by stay cables from 290m tall tubular concrete towers at each side of its 1,016m main span, and anchored by concrete arch piers at the ends of its 292m side spans. This scheme combines the proven construction technology of existing and previous record-span cable-stayed bridges with the design innovations required to achieve successfully and economically an increase in span of nearly fifteen percent. With design goals of constructability, economy, performance, and durability, the underlying concept behind this bridge is to achieve a dynamically rigid bridge and thus provide the required wind performance both during construction and permanently.

The geometry of the proposed bridge meets all requirements of the design competition. Dual carriageways, each 15.3m between parapets, are carried on a single steel box girder supported by two planes of stay cables located just outside the outer parapets. The 1,016m main span provides the required 963m clearance of Rambler Channel as well as the required clearance of the tower and its foundations from the seawall cope line. The symmetrical 292m side spans clear all intermediate obstacles and flair at their ends to match the roadway geometry of the viaducts. The vertical alignment provides the required vertical clearance of the navigation channel under maximum live loading and temperature conditions.

An alternative design was selected for construction which was completed in 2009.