The Circular Arch Bridge is a pedestrian bridge consisting out of four different recycled materials: cast glass, ceramic, circument and geopolymer concrete. Due to an increasing amount of vibration problems in modern pedestrian bridges they should not only be designed for static loads, but dynamic loads have to be considered as well. There are currently no guidelines in the Eurocodes for the dynamic assessment of a bridge like the Circular Arch Bridge. Therefore, this paper provides a research on how the dynamic assessment of the Circular Arch Bridge should be conducted.

The Circular Arch Bridge is considered a dry-stacked masonry arch bridge. A full dynamic assessment is conducted, with the use of finite element software, according to the guidelines for pedestrian bridges. The eigenvalues of the Circular Arch Bridge are not within the critical range for pedestrian induced dynamic loads. It is found that for everyday use the Circular Arch Bridge is within Comfort Class 2 from the Eurocode, thereby providing a medium comfort level. A special load case is added to the analysis representing a group of 60 people dancing on the bridge during experimental testing of the bridge. For this load case the Circular Arch Bridge is within Comfort Class 3 from the Eurocode, thereby providing a minimum level of comfort.

With a sensitivity analysis it is determined that the most sensitive input parameter of the finite element model is the modulus of elasticity of the interlayer. An investigation of the effect of large stiffness differences between the interlayer and the stones on the dynamic properties of the bridge is conducted. It is concluded that the large stiffness differences have a positive effect on the dynamic properties of the bridge. The effect of the dry-stacked assembly of the bridge on the dynamic properties is also investigated. This as a negative effect on the dynamic properties of the bridge.

The main goal of this graduation project is to create a feasibility study. The objective is to design, calculate and test different ways of how a unitized façade element can transform, rotate or convert for creating a temporary outdoor space. This façade element is connected with the same façade brackets used in the unitized façade system. The focus point in this study will be, façade fittings, profiles, construction (dimensions, movement, strength etc.), dimensions compared with the current unitized façade elements, practicality of the design and how much the design would cost to produce.

‘Form-finding of branching structures supporting freeform architectural surfaces’ is the graduation thesis of the master track Building Technology at the University of Technology in Delft. This thesis is made by Alex kouwenhoven in the time-span of three-quarter of a year and tutored by Andrew Borgart and Ate Snijder.

With the increasing complexability of the built environment, the challenges for both the architect and the engineer are becoming bigger. Architects tend to make new shapes or free-forms and the engineers are challenged to make it buildable. A shape often used as a support of this free-form architecture is the tree-like column or branching column. A structure branching out and redirecting forces from a big roof surface to one single point.

However, the design of these complex columns is often done by the computer and optimizing software. There is a missing link in the field of structural mechanics and these types of columns, the knowledge of forces flowing through these complex three-dimensional structures.

In this thesis, a method of designing these complex structures is proposed. By an analytical approach, an efficient structural column can be made and multiple optimization strategies are proposed. Following these strategies, a design can be made. In the final chapters of the thesis, an example of a design is made using this strategy.