The Romans were the first great builders of bridges in the western world. Professor O'Connor, a civil engineer and expert in bridge construction, has examined a very large number of those bridges that still remain all over the Roman empire. In this book he presents a thorough listing and description of all known bridges, in many cases illustrating the construction of the bridges by his own photographs and sketches. Introductory chapters place the bridges in their geographical and historical contexts, with detailed maps of the empire-wide system of Roman roads and discussion of how these came to be constructed, and an investigation of the technology available to the Romans. Finally, in order to elucidate the principles used by the Romans in designing their bridges Professor O'Connor examines the proportions of the stone arches, and subjects the rules that emerge to modern structural analysis.

As a civil engineer, Horst Barow is fascinated by the vestiges of the Roman Empire, not the least of them being roads and bridges. In many cases they still carry modern traffic after 2000 years. Barow systematically collected material on Roman roads and bridges and surveyed bridges on the spot. His untimely death in 2010 left his wife with a great work in progress and it is thanks to the publisher that this book has been realized. Translated from the German by Friedrich Ragette--P. 4 of cover.

Medieval bridges are startling achievements of design and engineering comparable with the great cathedrals of the period, and are also proof of the great importance of road transport in the middle ages and of the size and sophistication of the medieval economy. David Harrison rewrites their history from early Anglo-Saxon England right up to the Industrial Revolution, providing new insights into many aspects of the subject. Looking at the role of bridges in the creation of a new road system, which was significantly different from its Roman predecessor and which largely survived until the twentieth century, he examines their design. Often built in the most difficult circumstances: broad flood plains, deep tidal waters, and steep upland valleys, they withstood all but the most catastrophic floods. He also investigates the immense efforts put into their construction and upkeep, ranging from the mobilization of large work forces by the old English state to the role of resident hermits and the charitable donations which produced bridge trusts with huge incomes. The evidence presented in The Bridges of Medieval England shows that the network of bridges, which had been in place since the thirteenth century, was capable of serving the needs of the economy on the eve of the Industrial Revolution. This has profound implications for our understanding of pre-industrial society, challenging accepted accounts of the development of medieval trade and communications, and bringing to the fore the continuities from the late Anglo-Saxon period to the eighteenth century. This book is essential reading for those interested in architecture, engineering, transport, and economics, and any historian sceptical about the achievements of medieval England.

Bridges are one of the most important artefacts constructed by man, the structures having had an incalculable effect on the development of trade and civilisation throughout the world. Their construction has led to continuing advances in civil engineering technology, leading to bigger spans and the use of new materials. Their failures, too, whether from an inadequate understanding of engineering principles or as a result of natural catastrophes or warfare, have often caused immense hardship as a result of lost lives or broken communications. In this book, a sister publication to his earlier An Encyclopaedia of British Bridges (Pen & Sword 2019), David McFetrich gives brief descriptions of some 1200 bridges from more than 170 countries around the world. They represent a wide range of different types of structure (such as beam, cantilever, stayed and suspension bridges). Although some of the pictures are of extremely well-known structures, many are not so widely recognisable and a separate section of the book includes more than seventy lists of bridges with distinctly unusual characteristics in their design, usage and history.

Why were bridges invented? What did the first bridges look like? How do they stay up, and why are there so many different designs? From architecture to engineering (and other STEM subjects!), scale new heights on an enchanting journey with the school children in this book to discover answers to these questions along with other fascinating facts about bridges and how they work. Written and illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal nominee and STEAM Children's Book prize winner, Roman Belyaev.

Sm. thick 4to. Original illustrated cloth. Top edge gilt other edges uncut. With coloured frontpiece, 35 full-page coloured plates, and numerous text drawings. Title page printed in re/black ink.