TECHNICAL PAPERS
Nov 1, 2000

Leffert Lefferts Buck—Bridge Maker

Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 5, Issue 4

Abstract

In these days of bridge design by large national and international teams, it is easy to forget those days in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries when one man undertook the design and construction of a major bridge. This paper covers Leffert Lefferts Buck's career from 1868 to 1909. In 1872, when he built the famous Verrugas Viaduct in Peru, up to the construction of the Williamsburg Bridge over the East River in New York, he was one of the premier bridge builders of all time. Yet in spite of his acknowledged leadership, very few current bridge engineers are aware of his work.

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References

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Buck, L. L. ( 1868). “Review of the design of the collective system of the high service water works of Carmansville, New York City.” Senior thesis, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.
2.
Buck, L. L. ( 1876). “Erection of the Verrugas Bridge—Discussion of.” Trans. ASCE, 5, 242–243.
3.
Buck, L. L. ( 1881). “The re-enforcement of the anchorage and renewal of the suspended structure of the Niagara railroad suspension bridge.” Trans. ASCE, 10(July), 195–224.
4.
Buck, L. L. ( 1901). “The Niagara Falls and Clifton Steel Arch Bridge.” Proc., Instn. of Civ. Engrs., 144, Part 2, 69–85.
5.
Buck, R. S. ( 1898). “The Niagara Railway Arch.” Trans. ASCE, 40, 125–150.
6.
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Published In

Go to Journal of Bridge Engineering
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 5Issue 4November 2000
Pages: 271 - 283

History

Received: Sep 7, 1999
Published online: Nov 1, 2000
Published in print: Nov 2000

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Authors

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Fellow, ASCE
Dir., Historic Bridge Programs, Clough, Harbour & Associates LLP, III Winners Circle, Albany, NY 12205.

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