American Truss Bridge Connections in the 19th Century. II: 1850–1900
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 11, Issue 3
Abstract
Following the introduction of iron in the 1840s, bridge companies came to dominate bridge procurement. Their designs featured proprietary compressive elements and joint details. As analysis of statically determinate trusses evolved into an ordinary skill, statically indeterminate forms and prestressing fell into disuse. The statically determinate “American pinned truss” with built-up compressive elements and eyebars became the mainstream design. American fabricators produced ductile eyebars with extraordinary dimensional accuracy. However, all-riveted lattice trusses, principally designed by New York Central Railroad engineers, provided competition. In general, such designs performed satisfactorily and helped to calibrate approximate design procedures for riveted joints. The development of shop and field riveting equipment finally made riveted, gusset-plate connections practical by the turn of the century.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 11 • Issue 3 • August 1997
Pages: 130 - 140
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Aug 1, 1997
Published in print: Aug 1997
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