Parabolic Bending of Steel
The shape of Chicago’s new North Halsted Bridge’s top arch is defined by the equation of a parabola. While that may sound complicated, the parabolic trajectory is simply the path that any water fountain, thrown ball, or launched Angry Bird follows when subjected to gravity.
The detailers broke the shape into several discrete radii to roll the 1.5” x 30.5” flange plates. At either end of the parabola, instead of connecting to the roadbed at a sharp angle, radiused “knuckles” were rolled to smooth out that transition.
The 15 inch radius of these knuckles is below the specified radius for cold-forming fracture-critical steel, so those were formed hot (850deg F). The Chicago DOT, the engineer of record, the general contractor, the structural steel fabricator and the erector all sign off on the procedure.
Beautiful Lighting
The North Halsted Bridge will have lights along the length of the top arch. Obtuse formed steel angle made from ¼” bridge quality steel will carry and protect this lighting system. The angles will be painted several times in the field (final color blue), and will have other architectural features added. A curved 4×4 structural angle could have performed the same function, but the rounded corner and sloped edges make for an attractive transition from the heavy girder to the lighting.