zaha hadid architects sculpts double-arched symmetrical bridge across jiangxi river in china

dynamic curved Bridge by ZHA emerges above Jiangxi River

Zaha Hadid Architects unveils Jiangxi River Bridge, the first in a series of bridges on Chengdu’s West Line Road. The new 295-meter Chengdu West First Bridge crosses the Jiangxi River, a tributary of the Tuojiang River in China‘s Sichuan province.

Stretching over the meandering Jiangxi River, the Chengdu West First Bridge emerges as a vital link for road, cycle, and pedestrian traffic, boasting a central span of 185 meters and secondary spans extending 55 meters, reaching out to the riverbanks. The strategic development enhances connectivity enabling the West Line Road to become the western section of the Airport New Town ring road and cycle route. The symmetrical bridge harnesses the efficiency of arches for spans within the 120-250 meter range, composed of two primary steel arches that ascend from opposite sides of the road deck. As they rise, the arches lean together to touch tangentially at their crown, stabilizing the structure from lateral wind forces. The dynamic curvature of the bridge’s supporting piers and abutments taper into its primary arches and road deck, defining a sculptural landmark within Chengdu’s transport infrastructure.

image by ©Arch-Exist | full header image by ©Liang Xue

a sculptural landmark in Chengdu’s transport Network

Commissioned to build the bridge following the 2019 design competition, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) uses structural analysis software on the design’s digital model. Examining all material self-weight, superimposed dead load, and traffic live loading, as well as environmental considerations of wind and temperature, the analysis ensures a robust foundation that exceeds the standards mandated for once-in-200-year weather events.

Aiming for an optimal height-to-span ratio at approximately 1:6, the bridge’s arches rise to a 30-meter height. Their cohesive foundation is reinforced by longitudinal box girders that run along the edge of the road deck, effectively counteracting the lateral forces. These ties resist the outward horizontal thrust of each arch and significantly reduce the horizontal loads on the bridge’s foundations.

Concrete abutments at either end of the bridge incorporate connectors linking the road deck to the West Line Road’s surface. Intermediate piers located beneath the springing points of the arches on each riverbank ensure a solid foundation without disturbing the riverbed.

Jiangxi River Bridge is the first in a series of bridges on Chengdu’s West Line Road | image by ©Arch-Exist

Chengdu West First Bridge crossing the Jiangxi River

The bridge’s bored piles and abutments were constructed using conventional in-situ reinforced concrete techniques. Each arch’s steel box sections were prefabricated in optimal dimensions for easy transportation and seamless on-site assembly. The road deck’s edge box girder sections integrated cable anchorages and underwent the same prefabrication process, delivered in sections to be spliced together with on-site welding.

The bridge’s prefabricated plate cross girders were delivered to the site and linked to the edge girders through a secure bolted cover plate splice connection. The concrete road deck itself is a result of precast panels affixed to the cross girders through in-situ concrete stitching.

Mobile cranes lifted all prefabricated steelwork and precast concrete elements within the bridge’s short assembly schedule. The Chengdu West First Bridge crossing the Jiangxi River will open to the public upon completion of the West Line Road.

stretching over the Jiangxi River, the structure boasts a central span of 185 meters | image by ©Liang Xue

the symmetrical bridge is composed of two primary steel arches | image by ©Liang Xue

the dynamic form stands as a sculptural landmark in Chengdu | image by ©Arch-Exist

the symmetrical bridge harnesses the efficiency of arches for spans between 120-250 meters | image by ©Arch-Exist

the arches lean together to touch tangentially at their crown, stabilizing the structure | image by ©Arch-Exist

concrete abutments at either end of the bridge link the deck to the West Line Road’s surface | image by ©Liang Xue

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image by ©Liang Xue

project info:

name: Jiangxi River Bridge

architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) | @zahahadidarchitects
ZHA design: Patrik Schumacher
client: Chengdu International Aerotropolis Group Construction and Development
ZHA project directors: Charles Walker, Lei Zheng, Ed Gaskin
ZHA project architect: Han-Hsun Hsieh
ZHA site team: Lei Zheng, Han-Hsun Hsieh
ZHA project team: Jan Klaska, Lei Zheng, Marina Dimopoulou, Stratis Georgiou, Hung-Da Chien, Han-Hsun Hsieh, Martha Masli, Stella Dourtmes, Charles Walker, Ed Gaskin

location: Chengdu, China

photography: Arch-Exist | @archexist – Liang Xue

executive architect: China Southwest Architectural Design & Research Institute

local architect: China Southwest Architectural Design & Research Institute
structural engineers: Buro Happold, China Southwest Architectural Design & Research Institute
quantity surveyor: China Southwest Architectural Design & Research Institute
general contractor: Sinohydro Bureau 7 Co., Ltd, China Huaxi Engineering Design and Construction
environmental consultant: Shenzhen Pengdaxin Energy Environmental Protection Technology
M&E engineering: China Southwest Architectural Design & Research Institute
MEP: China Southwest Architectural Design & Research Institute
transport consultant: China Southwest Architectural Design & Research Institute
fire engineer: China Southwest Architectural Design & Research Institute
landscape consultant: Zaha Hadid Architects
lighting design: Zaha Hadid Architects
site supervision: China Huaxi Engineering Design and Construction