NEWS
July 1, 2022
Whether you see flying swans, a swimming dolphin, a Noongar Rainbow Serpent or an undulating ribbon, there’s no denying the Matagarup Bridge is a striking addition to the natural beauty of Perth’s beloved Swan River. While the bridge arch assembly and complex lifting process was a first for an infrastructure project in WA, the sculptural steel sweeps and curves are actually a trick of the eye. How do we know? Because it was Multiplan, back in 2018, that translated the concept for the bridge’s undulating lines into fully resolved 3D models and millimetre-perfect structural steel fabrication drawings ready for construction to begin.
Perfectly precise detailing
We can confidently say just two teeny-tiny curved pipes feature in the iconic shapes showcased in the three-span, steel, cable-stayed suspension bridge, which rises to a breathtaking 72m above the Swan River at its apex.
Each and every other single piece of steel pipe had to be designed and fabricated to form a bridge that appears curved.
Precision was everything. Any imperfect joins risked destroying the design vision.
Stretching 370 metres from bank to bank, connecting East Perth to Optus Stadium and the Burswood Peninsula, the Matagarup Bridge features a steel cable-stay span of 160 metres at its centre. It boasts a staggering 300 metres of multicoloured LED lighting to bring its distinctive shape to life against the night sky.
Design modifications
Multiplan’s involvement in the project started when we took over the initial design model.
At one stage, we had around 75 construction modellers and steel detailing experts working on the project, including teams in our Western Australian, European and Asian offices working collaboratively to deliver the structural steel detailing package.
Working collaboratively in a design capacity, a team of our expert construction modellers and steel drafting experts spent six months in the Civmec offices working on the modelling and detailing.
Making modifications to bring the concept model up to both design speed and Australian standards, Multiplan also ensured the construction detail was visually pleasing in line with the overall vision.
Major revisions included changes in relation to lighting and cleats to make sure they were aesthetically pleasing.
Our team then translated the concept for the iconic infrastructure project into fully resolved 3D models and millimetre-perfect structural fabrication drawings.
Early engagement the key
Multiplan’s drawings were used by Civmec during the welding/fabrication phases of the project, while surveyors used the modelling within a virtual workshop to ensure fittings and cleats were placed in exactly the right position.
Processes such as scribing – marking the individual pipes where they needed to be joined – required pinpoint accuracy and precise marking on the shop drawings.
Multiplan’s DCETM service in an early client engagement capacity was instrumental in the design phase.
Skilled at working collaboratively, we knew enhanced teamwork was critical as the project not only involved the client’s Italian-based alliance partner, but it had already been significantly disrupted.
Developing innovative design, digital engineering and fabrication approaches enabled the high-profile bridge project to get back on track and completed ahead of expectations.
Multiplan is proud to have worked with Civmec on the Matagarup Bridge, a project of the Swan River Pedestrian Bridge Alliance comprising Main Roads WA and Rizzani de Eccher.
