Audacious and Elegant 19th Century Porto Bridges
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 8, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper, about the bridges built in Oporo during the 19th century, aims to pay a modest but justified tribute to three inspired engineers (Stanislas Bigot, Gustave Eiffel, and Théophile Seyrig) and their daring techniques and illustrious legacy. Let us hope that the scanty traces of their genius, excellence, and courageous efforts may serve as a stimulus to all those who are encouraged to foster such a noble art. For 115 years, Maria Pia Bridge, spanning the River Douro, provided a rail link between Oporto and Gaia, thus making a direct link possible between Oporto and Lisbon. It was an extremely daring bridge for its time; its arch had the greatest span in the world. In 1990, the American Society for Civil Engineers awarded it the International Prize for civil engineering works based upon of its unusual style. Lus I Bridge, built a few meters from the site of the old Suspension Bridge, comprises two decks supported by a large iron arch and five pillars. The arch is formed by two divergent parabolic curves, with a chord of 172 m and a rise of about 44.6 m. It still holds the record for the world’s largest iron arch.
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References
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). (1998). History and heritage of civil engineering. Committee on History and Heritage of American Civil Engineering, Washington, D.C.
Bigot, S. (1843). Pont Suspendu de Porto. Details des travaux, suivi de trois planches explicatives, Tipografia José Baptista Morando, Lisboa, Portugal.
Carriere, R. et al. (1966). “Les ponts suspendus modernes.” Proc., Int. Symp. on Suspension Bridges, Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil., Lisboa, Portugal.
Eiffel, G. e (1876). “Memória em apoio do Projecto da Ponte sobre o Douro, próximo do Porto,” Revista de Obras Públicas e Minas, Vol. 7, Lisboa, Portugal.
Matos, J. J. et al. (1881). “Relatório da Comissão encarregada de dar parecer acerca dos projectos apresentados no concurso de 12 de Novembro de 1880 para a construção de uma Ponte sobre o Douro, na Cidade do Porto,” Revista de Obras Públicas e Minas, Vol. XII, Lisboa, Portugal, 141–142.
Seyrig, T. (1878a). Le Pont sur le Douro à Porto. Description des projects présentés au concours; description détaillée de l’ouvrage exécuté; calculs de résistance relatifs à celui-ci, E. Capiomont & V. Renault, Paris.
Seyrig, T. (1878b). Pont Don Luiz 1 er à Porto. Montage de l’Arche Principale. Mémoire Descriptif et Calcul Justificatifs, Imprimerie Chaix, Paris.
Seyrig, T. (1883), Pont D. Luiz I à Porto—Nouveaux calculs justificatifs de l’arche, Paris.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 8 • Issue 4 • November 2003
Pages: 217 - 225
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 6, 2002
Accepted: Jul 1, 2002
Published online: Oct 15, 2003
Published in print: Nov 2003
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