Form finding of the Golden Gate bridge
Use the slider to go through the formfinding process for the Golden Gate bridge: 1-2) finding the reaction forces of the central span by constructing a funicular line through 3 points; 3) decomposing the reaction forces; 4) the vertical components are taken by the pylons, the horizontal components of the central span and the small spans have to neutralize each other; 5-7) using the horizontal component to find the reaction forces of the small span and construct the funicular line; 8-9) decomposing the reaction forces of the small span to determine the vertical components; 10) the horizontal components of the central span and the small spans neutralize each other, the same horizontal component is taken by the supports at either side.
Move the handles in the form diagram to explore different configurations of the geometry and their implications on the forces.
