The 30 m long bridge connects St. Michael's Hospital with the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute. The supporting structure is based on twisted oval steel rings and thermally prestressed insulating glass, giving each view a different lightness. The design by Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. from Toronto impresses with its unique concept. Further technical details can be found on the Josef Gartner website.
5 star | ||
4 star | ||
3 star | ||
2 star | ||
1 star |
Steel and Glass Footbridge
Number of Nodes | 975 |
Number of Members | 1199 |
Number of Load Cases | 3 |
Number of Load Combinations | 1 |
Total Weight | 23.384 tons |
Dimensions (Metric) | 3.817 x 32.212 x 14.342 m |
Dimensions (Imperial) | 12.52 x 105.68 x 47.05 feet |
Program Version | 7.04.33 |
![Basic Shapes of Membrane Structures [1]](/en/webimage/009595/2419502/01-en-png-png.png?mw=512&hash=6ca63b32e8ca5da057de21c4f204d41103e6fe20)



With the activated option 'Topology on Form-Finding Form' in Project Navigator - Display, the model display is optimized based on the form-finding geometry. For example, the loads are displayed in relation to the deformed system.

In RFEM, there is an option to couple surfaces with the stiffness types "Membrane" and "Membrane Orthotropic" with the material models "Isotropic Nonlinear Elastic 2D/3D" and "Isotropic Plastic 2D/3D" (add-on module RF-MAT NL Add-on Module for RFEM 5 erforderlich).
This functionality enables simulation of the nonlinear strain behavior of ETFE foils, for example.

The "Orthotropic | Fabric | Nonlinear Elastic (Surfaces)" material model allows you to define prestressed fabric membranes using the representative microstructure-solid element model – RVE.
By considering the fabric geometry in the microstructure model, the corresponding transversal strain effect can now be considered for all force conditions in the membrane.

The Ponding load type allows you to simulate rain actions on multi-curved surfaces, taking into account the displacements according to the large deformation analysis.
This numerical rainfall process examines the assigned surface geometry and determines which rainfall portions drain away and which rainfall portions accumulate in puddles (water pockets) on the surface. The puddle size then results in a corresponding vertical load for the structural analysis.
For example, you can use this feature in the analysis of approximately horizontal membrane roof geometries subjected to rain loading.
Go to Explanatory Video