e-mosty December 2018 e-mosty December 2018 | Page 30

Was there a specific person that influenced your thought in bridge design?
I was impressed by the way Nervi designed and built his structures - elegant structures true to
function and simple in form. Working with Dr. Carbone, I took a leading role in the construction of his
projects. Most of them have withstood the test of time. His structures covered a wide range.
He has been my model. Likewise, for me my career has involved varied structures and bridge forms,
part of them not necessarily the only type. In all structures I prefer to use my intuitive knowledge and
experience in the design from concept, detailed structural design and construction engineering. If
you choose to view your design as sacrosanct and not be replaced by an alternative design by
contractors, it would be wise to suggest a method by which the contractor would find it safe and
comfortable to adopt. Hence a designer should always suggest an optional method of construction.
Which Bridge do you consider your best achievement?
There are many, and many have won several awards. All of them demanded special time and
thought.
Regarding the Prai and Kamal Shair bridges: it would be a common starting point for a designer and a
contractor to consider cast in place concrete for the horizontally curved portions of these, as he would
think it was easier. Which factors assured you that a precast segmental approach would be more
successful?
All the structures that I have been responsible for have gone through a series of progression in
various aspects of design and process of construction, significantly in precast concrete which made
us the leader in design of precast segmental bridges.
The first cable stayed bridge -The Wadi Leban bridge is a truly elegant structure with single plane of
cables using significant innovations in concept and construction (deck width 35.8m using my
innovation of precast deck and side cantilevers as in the case of the Sungai Prai bridge, the use of
saddles for cables, and lighting for the roadway from the tower tops, the use of micro silica to
develop concrete of high strength (100 MPa for increased durability and strength.)
This happened to be the contractor’s first cable stayed bridge, and they were able to produce a great
work.
Among other similar projects this was a very happy collaboration between the Client, Contractor and
the designer.
I was involved in the construction engineering of the Sirsi Circle flyover (1998). A considerable length
of viaduct in an urban situation with ramp viaduct intersections and curved ramps. We provided all
information to the contractor from design of launching girder to design of formwork.
My extensive experience in the design of formwork has given me the confidence that precasting is in
most cases easier in construction and erection of segments, particularly the ease of casting, handling
and the time schedule of operations and the quality of the work, all of which have a direct relation to
the economics of the project.
Furthermore, it has always been my belief that the concept should be based on at least a method of
construction.
4/2018