University of Limerick 'Living' Bridge: A Design Response to Sensitive Landscape, Ireland

摘要

This paper describes the design and construction of the Living Bridge, a new pedestrian crossing built across the River Shannon in Limerick, Ireland. The bridge passes through an internationally important riparian landscape and was required to be designed and constructed with particular regard to the sensitive natural environment. The bridge comprises six separate spanning structures with below-deck cable trusses on each edge. The crossing takes a long curving alignment and provides gathering spaces at pier locations between each span. The use of these spaces by students of the University of Limerick (UL) gives rise to the structure's adopted title of the "Living Bridge".