Client: Various
Contract Value: Approximately $40 Million
Description: Model Development in Support of Bid Process

The Devil's Slide Bridge on California's coast highway is one of unusual geometric complexity, being built on a very steep grade and involving both vertical and horizontal curvature. Variable cross sections of piers and superstructure added to the difficulties of its mathematical definition.

In support of the bid process, we developed a precise geometric model of the entire structure that was used by several bidders to help in their understanding of formwork, post-tensioning, and reinforcing. Perhaps we learned too much in the process as the contract was awarded to another “less informed” contractor. In the ideal scenario, such a model would drive detailing of reinforcing and formwork and help to resolve post-tensioning/reinforcing conflicts before they became expensive problems. As always, one of our goals would have been to provide survey data for layout and grading.