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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Fifty years ago the suspension bridge was regarded as the one class of structure adapted to spans of unusual length. Highway suspension bridges were built in almost all parts of the world; several railroad suspension bridges were proposed, and the one actually built across the Niagara River has done service for nearly forty years. Fifty years ago metallic bridge construction was in its infancy, and anything beyond the limit which could well be built of wood was considered an exceptional span. Although there were a few striking exceptions, 200 feet· was practically the limit of wooden truss bridge spans.
The introduction of iron bridges changed these conditions, and a 400-ft. iron span was as readily built as a 200-ft. Howe truss. The first 400-ft. span in America was constructed by Albert Fink, Past-President Am. Soc. C. E., in the bridge across the Ohio River at Louisville, Ky., where it is still in use. The cheapening of the price of iron, the increased capacity of rolling mills, and the new methods of making steel, have rendered it an easier task to build a truss of 600 ft. span now than it was to build a 400-ft. span then. The result of this development has been that trusses have superseded suspension bridges, and where a suspension bridge would have been built forty years ago a steel truss is built now.
Fifty years ago the suspension bridge was regarded as the one class of structure adapted to spans of unusual length. Highway suspension bridges were built in almost all parts of the world; several railroad suspension bridges were proposed, and the one actually built across the Niagara River has done service for nearly forty years. Fifty years ago metallic bridge construction was in its infancy, and anything beyond the limit which could well be built of wood was considered an exceptional span. Although there were a few striking exceptions, 200 feet· was practically the limit of wooden truss bridge spans.
The introduction of iron bridges changed these conditions, and a 400-ft. iron span was as readily built as a 200-ft. Howe truss. The first 400-ft. span in America was constructed by Albert Fink, Past-President Am. Soc. C. E., in the bridge across the Ohio River at Louisville, Ky., where it is still in use. The cheapening of the price of iron, the increased capacity of rolling mills, and the new methods of making steel, have rendered it an easier task to build a truss of 600 ft. span now than it was to build a 400-ft. span then. The result of this development has been that trusses have superseded suspension bridges, and where a suspension bridge would have been built forty years ago a steel truss is built now.
Suspension Bridges — A Study
Morison, George S. (author)
Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers ; 36 ; 359-416
2021-01-01
581896-01-01 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
| Engineering Index Backfile | 1896
| Wiley | 2011
| British Library Online Contents | 1999