Research Article
May 1980
Wilhelm Ritter: Teacher of Maillart and Ammann
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of the Structural Division
Volume 106, Issue 5
Abstract
This paper seeks to make the contemporary structural engineering profession aware of a 19th century tradition of education which has been almost lost. That educational tradition possessed ideas which do not go out of date and which can stimulate a healthy review of present research and teaching in structural engineering. A good case can be made for the judgment that the two greatest bridge designers of the 20th century were Robert Maillart (1872-1940) using concrete and Othmar Ammann (1879-1965) using steel. It is a remarkable fact that both had the same Swiss educational background and even the same professor for bridge design: Wilhelm Ritter (1847-1906). Because it seems correct to credit Ritter with direct influence, the substance of this present paper is to characterize that influence by briefly sketching first the engineering tradition within which Ritter studied, second his own career as a teacher and researcher in bridge engineering, and finally the ideas central to Ritter's vision of bridge design.
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Published In
Journal of the Structural Division
Volume 106 • Issue 5 • May 1980
Pages: 1103 - 1116
Copyright
© 1980 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: May 1980
Published online: Feb 1, 2021
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Authors
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David P. Billington, F.ASCE
Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Princeton Univ., Princeton, N.J.
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ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.