Concrete in the Architecture of Engineering Structures

By the originality of the construction and identification of the plastic properties of concrete, some of the engineering structures are of considerable interest. Designed primarily for performing utilitarian tasks, they are of great artistic value due to the peculiarity of forms, placement conditions and perceptual characteristics.

Many of the engineering structures, such as, for example, bridges and towers, introduced into the landscape of natural or artificial environments, transform it, organizing new landmarks and connections according to the laws given by man. Of a large number of existing and made of concrete and reinforced concrete engineering

Structures, two groups can be distinguished, the most significant in terms of their impact on the organization of architectural space.

The main sign of the forms of the first group is the vertical orientation. This group includes various types of technical towers - water, television, sports, etc. The specifics of constructing the forms of these structures makes them the leading composite elements of the architectural space. Previously, this role was played by the belfry of religious buildings, watchtowers, city halls.

Tower-type engineering structures deserve special attention in the context of the constant expansion of the territory of modern cities. When residential buildings in the bulk are of the same height, the presence of high-rise structures contrasting in shape, especially where there is a flat relief, gives the spatial environment individual features.

In the second group of engineering structures made of concrete and reinforced concrete, horizontal orientation prevails. These include bridges of various types and some other structures. Their construction from concrete and reinforced concrete in its purest form demonstrates the structural properties of these materials. The artistic expressiveness of bridges is largely determined by constructive expediency and an unambiguous function.

The same problem is solved in some futurological projects with a wider functional purpose, therefore, a review of the relatively small but original existing structural compositions of concrete and reinforced concrete in the form of bridges is of interest from the standpoint of the comprehensive development of these materials in architecture.

A number of engineering structures made of concrete and reinforced concrete in the 20th century influenced new directions in architecture. The names of E. Torroha, R. Mayar, F. Candela, P. L. Nervi are associated with their creation. Just as the Eiffel Tower in Paris at one time became the prototype of future frame structures of new architectural forms, so in the works of the above-mentioned masters methods were worked out that stimulated the development of new architectural forms of reinforced concrete.