Case Study: Arup achieves safe pedestrian footfall performance on Singapore’s Helix Bridge with Oasys GSA

Arup validates Helix Bridge footfall performance with Oasys Software, reaching R = 29

Arup, a global engineering firm, faced the challenge of designing Singapore's innovative Helix Bridge, a unique double helix structure. Their primary concern was preventing excessive lateral synchronous vibration, a phenomenon that can cause dangerous swaying in footbridges under crowd load, especially on the bridge's cantilevered viewing pods. To address this, Arup utilized Oasys Software's GSA product to perform a detailed footfall and vibration analysis.

Using Oasys GSA, Arup conducted a sophisticated analysis based on single-person excitation to predict vibration response factors across the entire bridge deck and viewing pods. The software's output confirmed that the predicted vibration levels would be within acceptable international standards. These computer-simulated results were then successfully validated with physical tests involving 280 volunteers, with the measured dynamic response closely matching the predictions. The work by Oasys Software ensured the Helix Bridge is both a safe and comfortable landmark for pedestrians.

Arup