Erasmus bridge

The Erasmus Bridge is a new cable stayed bridge crossing the river Maas in Rotterdam. The bridge consists of a complicated geometrical layout because it is three dimensionally highly asymmetric. The steel frame contains three I-shaped main members with their height restricted due to architectural design. Due to this limited construction height, large web and flange thickness of up to 100 millimeters would have been required with mild steel.

HSS was also effective for the 139 meter pylon, the outer shape of which was determined by architectural aesthetics. The asymmetric single pylon carries the over-9000 square meter main span by means of tension cables- resulting in a compression force exceeding 10,000 tons for dead weight and cable pre-stressing loads only.

In addition, total weight was extremely critical since the pylon was fabricated on the rive bank and floated into its final position.