Structural design and environmental impact of infrastructures

Structural design of infrastructure elements such as bridges and viaducts is shown to be strongly related to the environmental impact assessment of the related infrastructure. In particular, visual impact of these elements should be assessed prior to the design phase. The study have investigated more than 70 projects of important highways and railways; some examples are described with the aim not to criticise a single project but to give “best” and “bad” practices from which lessons could be learned. Visual Impact Analysis may be one instrument that together with architectonic and structural design may improve quality of infrastructures. From the case studies, some hits are given to designers in order to achieve a better integration between different disciplines and approaches for an overall “good” project.