Architectural and Structural

The Helix – An Iconic Stainless Steel Walkway

Outokumpu’s duplex stainless steel pipes and plates are used to build the main structures of a unique
footbridge across the Marina Bay in Singapore.

Crowds of people turned out on Saturday night, April 24,

2010, to witness the grand opening of a landmark
pedestrian bridge in Singapore’s Downtown Core,
celebrated with fireworks, bands, dance groups and
performances.

The opening ceremony included the much-awaited

revelation of the bridge’s name. The Helix is in direct
reference to the bridge’s unique architecture and
engineering. The bridge is the world’s first double-helix
pedestrian bridge: two helixes, built from stainless steel
pipes, spiral around each other to form the core of the 280-
meter-long structure.

Inspired by the structure of DNA, the bridge symbolizes “life

and continuity, renewal and growth,” as described by the
designers. As such, The Helix underscores Singapore’s
goals for the Marina Bay area. Running parallel to the
Bayfront road bridge, The Helix connects the Marina Centre
and Marina South in the Bayfront area. It forms an integral
part of a major development including top-end resorts and
a business and financial center.

The Helix offers spectacular views of the city skyline, both

from the deck and from five viewing platforms. The inner
spiral of the double helix is used to support fritted-glass and
stainless-steel mesh canopies that provide shading. The
stainless steel surfaces provide striking nighttime
illumination, as they reflect special lights built into the
bridge and programmed to enhance the design.

At an early design stage, The Helix’s engineering

consultants selected duplex stainless steel of grade 2205
(EN 1.4462) for the double helix and support structures.
Duplex 2205 brings many advantages: in the hot and
humid, maritime climate of Singapore, this highly corrosion-
resistant duplex grade ensures low maintenance and
continued good appearance during the life of the bridge,
designed to serve for a minimum of 100 years. The high
strength of duplex 2205 enabled the designers to develop a
light-weight and sustainable steel structure.

The duplex contract, comprising structural pipes for the

double helix and heavy plates for the girders, was awarded
to Outokumpu in 2007. Outokumpu completed the supply in
2008. One of the key reasons why Outokumpu won the
contract was the Group’s ability to supply the complete
range of pipe and plate products required for the project.
Additional merits for Outokumpu were good project
references and the Group’s technical support capabilities.

A showcase of Outokumpu’s capabilities

Matching the high architectural standards and iconic
importance of The Helix, the project presented exacting
demands on the stainless steel materials and their supplier.

The duplex pipes and plates were delivered in the mill-

finish surface condition, and it was of utmost importance
that all products were first rate without any surface
imperfections – a high requirement for hot rolled surfaces
but successfully met by Outokumpu.

The delivery involved highly customized pipes, plates and

packages, to meet the customer’s exacting product and
logistic requirements. The bridge design was altered many
times as the project moved ahead, requiring special agility
from Outokumpu to accommodate the revisions and to
keep the delivery schedule.

“In addition to showcasing Outokumpu’s skills and

dedication, The Helix project highlights the Group’s
capabilities to manage major international projects
successfully,” says Kenan Cosic, Outokumpu’s Project
Manager for heavy wall pipes.

The Helix project also highlights Outokumpu’s

understanding of the specifics of major projects and
support to project customers: Outokumpu helped the
customer to source small amounts of spare and top-up
materials during fabrication.

The Helix follows a series of demanding bridge projects

worldwide implemented with Outokumpu’s duplex products
and with the help of Outokumpu’s stainless steel expertise.
From the Stonecutters Bridge, a new Hong Kong marvel, to
numerous structures in Europe, these bridges point to the
future in bridge engineering: use of high-strength duplex
stainless steel is increasing rapidly. Outokumpu, the world’s
foremost producer of duplex stainless steel, answers the
trend with its range of duplex grades and with high flexibility
in both pipes and plates.

Photos: Anthea Goh