Kentucky River High Bridge
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 7, Issue 2
Abstract
Cantilever bridge construction can be said to have started with the work of Heinrich Gerber in Germany in 1867. While the principle had been used in many ancient bridges, it was not until Gerber’s work that metal bridges were built using the cantilever principle. The Kentucky High Bridge over the Kentucky River was the first modern cantilever bridge built in the United States. While James Eads had used the cantilever construction method at St. Louis, his bridge acted in service as a series of three arches. The High Bridge, designed by C. Shaler Smith, was one of the most daring and innovative bridges built in the country and carried its load between 1876 and 1912, when it was replaced by Gustave Lindenthal’s three span truss.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 7 • Issue 2 • March 2002
Pages: 73 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © 2002 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 30, 2001
Accepted: Apr 17, 2001
Published online: Mar 1, 2002
Published in print: Mar 2002
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