Oral+presentation

[|Link]  =Oral PRESENTATION  of the **__//JK BRIDGE //__**  = = =  a. Name of bridge We present to you the Juscelino Kubitschek  Bridge, most frequently called President JK Bridge or simply JK Bridge. Its construction began in 2000 and it was completed on December 15 in 2002. Its name comes from     Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira , former      president of Brazil  , who in the late 1950s decided to build Brasília as the new capital of the country.

b. Location The JK Bridge is placed on Brasilia (poblaion: 2 million people), a Federal District of Brazil, over the artificial lake of Paranoá. On the east side of the city, the Paranoá River has been dammed to form this large lake. Around its shores are embassies and consulates, sports clubs, restaurants, the northern and southern residential areas, the University of Brasília, the Olympic Center, and the Palace of the Dawn which is the official residence  of the President of the Republic. c. Purpose of the bridge The bridge was built to cross over the lake Paranoá connecting the Central part of Lucio Costoa’s Pilot Plan, with the southern residential area. Its purpose was to represent a symbol of the great development that was having place in Brasilia. Its desing went hand to hand with the structures that were around the city, creating a harmonious relationship. It also was built do to the fact that Brasilia was spreading exponentially and the other bridges weren’t enough to control traffic intensity. d. Type of bridge  === The JK Bridge is a Suspension Bridge Type, being the kind of structure that is suspended from cables. But instead of towers, the load of the deck is carry by steel arches of 60m tall. There are four pillars underwater too. === <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> e. Materials The 1,200 meter-long roadway is made of concrete. The bridge features a polyurethane topcoat. It is supported by steel stays connected to the arches and its steel structure weighs 2,500 tonnes ! The pillars down in the water are made of concrete.

f. Technology involved in its construction The JK bridge not only exhibits aesthetic qualities but it also represents an important architectural advance in bridge construction. While constructing the bridge, temporary steel towers were used to support the deck and the arches, and they were removed after the arches were closed. Enviromental factors like wind velocity and temperature were crefully measured. And the loads that it was supouse to carry were considered and tested so the bridge could be resistent enough. But the most significant challenge in the construction of this bridge was the use of asymethrical arches which provided the neccesary cable tension to lock the roadway in place. The diagonally-crossing arches differentiate the JK Bridge from traditional arch bridge designs and give it a visually stunning appearance. g. Designers: Thanks to the fact tha the growing city of Brasilia needed a third bridge, the government decided to promote a contest for its design and construction. The winning concept was designed by architect Alexandre Chan and structural engineer Mário Vila Verde (both from Rio de Janeiro). The shape was inspired by the movement of a stone skipping over water. Chan considered dozens of issues, ranging from the geological profile of the region to the importance of architectural shapes in the city of about 2 million people. Chan considered the bridge's position with the Brasilian sunset and the principle of avoiding straight lines on the deck to offer a varying landscape view for drivers. h. Advantages/disadvantages of the bridge for the specific community The JK Bridge won an award from the Engineer's Society of Pennsylvania in 2003. The Gustav Lindenthal Medal was awarded to the designers of the bridge "for a single, recent outstanding achievement demonstrating harmony with the environment, aesthetic merit and successful community participation" This bridge was also awarded the "Premio Abcem 2003" (ABCEM Award) – Best Steel Work of the Year, Bridges and Highway Overpasses Category, granted by the Brazilian Metal Construction Association.

Alhought its construction and maintenance is very expensive, The JK Bridge is outstandingly adapted to the community needs, making possible the circulation for pedestrian, bike-riders and vechicles. It also allows people to enjoy the beutiful landscapes that can be visualized from that specific location. And last but not least, it communicates two important sectors of the city, enpowering its development and lowering traffic problems (allowing 100.000 vehicles per day to transport). Pages and Links consulted: [] [] http://pt.trekearth.com/gallery/photo781802.htm http://www.aboutbrasilia.com/maps/alvorada-planalto.html