Lecture 37

Lecture 37:

Development of Structural Form

The best works of structural engineering clearly exhibit a deep understanding of the way that forces move through a structure to reach their foundations. The bridges of Robert Maillart and Professor Dr. Christian Menn exemplify this knowledge. Maillart became known around the world for the three hinged arch of the Felsenegg Bridge, pictured above. He experimented with reinforced concrete in the manner of the great pioneers of the field. Structural designers around the world were investigating the ways in which reinforced concrete could be used in order to take advantage of its unique physical properties. For more information see Reinforced Concrete by Aly Ahmed Raafat (published by Reinhold in 1958).

This is the curved Schwandbach bridge. It is a deck-stiffened arch because the "U" profile of the road deck is stiff enough that it can resist any deformations of the very thin supporting arch.

More to come.....

For more information on the Bridges of Robert Maillart, see the books of Prof. David Billington.