TECHNICAL PAPERS
Apr 1, 2007

Wind Loads for 19th Century Bridges: Design Evolution, Historic Failures, and Modern Preservation

Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 21, Issue 2

Abstract

This paper presents an historical survey of the basis for design wind pressure used by 19th and early 20th century engineers. Events significant to the development of current wind design standards for pedestrian bridges are explored. These include 19th century treatments of wind load, a review of bridge disasters that spurred new thinking, and historical developments of today’s standards.

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Acknowledgments

The writers would like to thank Frank Hatfield, professor emeritus, Michigan State University, Dennis Randolph of the Calhoun County (Michigan) Historic Bridge Park, Doug Fredericks of CH2M Hill, Sacramento, Calif., and Mark Hamouz of LONCO, Inc., Denver, Colo., for their assistance providing information for this paper. This paper is an outgrowth of ongoing research in historic bridge preservation at the University of Colorado at Denver.

References

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 21Issue 2April 2007
Pages: 157 - 165

History

Received: Mar 23, 2006
Accepted: May 18, 2006
Published online: Apr 1, 2007
Published in print: Apr 2007

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Authors

Affiliations

Frederick R. Rutz, Ph.D., M.ASCE
P.E.
Senior Project Manager, J.R. Harris and Co., 1776 Lincoln St., Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203-1080. E-mail: [email protected]
Kevin L. Rens, Ph.D., M.ASCE
P.E.
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Colorado at Denver, Campus Box 113, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364. E-mail: [email protected]

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