Aesthetics in the Design of Precast Prestressed Bridges

In view of the subjectivity of aesthetics, it is not the authors' intention to try to give formulas to design beautiful bridges in a mathematical way, but to expose some formal considerations concerning the bridge and each one of its components (deck, piers, and abutments). The aim of this paper is to establish an index of certain aspects so that formal as well as structural and functional matters can be considered when designing a bridge. Designers must pay as much attention to the aspects of form as to those of structural resistance and function in the design; only then will bridges be endowed with aesthetic dignity.