How to Read Bridges is a practical introduction to looking at the structure and purpose of bridges. It is a guide to reading the structural clues embedded in every bridge that allows their variety and ingenuity to be better appreciated. Small enough to carry in your pocket and serious enough to provide real answers, this comprehensive guide: - analyses and explores all types of bridges from around the world from the first millennium to the present day. - explores fundamental concepts of bridge design, key materials and engineering techniques. - provides an accessible visual guide with intelligent text, using detailed illustrations and cross-sections of technical features.
Bridges are some of the most fascinating structures in our landscape, and they come in all forms. From towering suspension bridges to humble stone crossings, this book visits them all in sweet, bouncing text with expository sidebars. But while bridges can be quite grand, this reminds us that their main purpose is bringing people together. This is perfect for budding architects, as well as readers who can relate to having loved ones who live far away.
"A book to delight the heart and eye of a pontist whether he be an admirer and lover of bridges or a designer and builder. . . ."--Saturday Review of LiteratureThis profusely illustrated work describes the fundamental principles involved in the design of bridges, presents the historical background of the modern bridge, and includes a profusion of illustrations documenting bridges of all types. Spans from around the world are depicted, among them Lucerne's medieval Kapellbrücke; the magnificent Maximiliansbrücke in Munich; the unusual "honeycomb" bridge between Orr's Island and Bailey Island off the Maine coast; and the George Washington Bridge, at the time of its construction, the world's longest steel suspension bridge. 401 black-and-white illustrations.
Have you ever wondered how bridges don't fall down? Or how really old buildings stay standing up? In the How Do series, readers are welcome to guess along with the rest of us-and then explore the science behind the right answers. Basic principles of architecture and engineering, including an introduction to bridges, locks, arches, columns, and skyscrapers are explored through diagrams, photos, and informative and engaging text.
An “extraordinary guide to the hidden secrets of modern man-made miracles . . . Highly recommended” —from the author of Froth!: The Science of Beer (Midwest Book Review). Ever wonder how a graceful and slender bridge can support enormous loads over truly astonishing spans? Why domes and free-standing arches survive earthquakes that flatten the rest of a city? Physicist Mark Denny looks at the large structures around us—tall buildings, long bridges, and big dams—and explains how they were designed and built and why they sometimes collapse, topple, or burst. Denny uses clear, accessible language to explain the physics behind such iconic structures as the Parthenon, the Eiffel Tower, the Forth Rail Bridge in Edinburgh, and Hoover Dam. His friendly approach allows readers to appreciate the core principles that keep these engineering marvels upright without having to master complex mathematical equations. Employing history, humor, and simple physics to consider such topics as when to use screws or nails, what trusses are, why iron beams are often I-shaped, and why medieval cathedrals have buttresses, Denny succeeds once again in making physics fun. Praise for Mark Denny “Denny’s wry humor is fun to read and made me laugh out loud.” —Mark Kidger, author of Astronomical Enigmas “Denny largely sheds the complexity of mathematical constructs, distilling their most salient features into a more qualitative understanding of radar and sonar systems.” —Choice “Indeed, Denny’s writing is anything but dry and boring. He adeptly explains complex subject matter and does so with relatively simple language and minimal use of symbolic notation.” —Bat Research News
Ruby Bridges was born during the time of segregation in the South. In 1960, she made history when she attended an all-white school. Follow her story and learn why we still celebrate her courage today.
Building bridges across rivers, canyons, straits and sea represents one of man's greatest endeavours. It has stretched human ingenuity, engineering and material technology to their utmost limits. Their creation has been driven by man's desire, from the earliest times, to make lines of communication possible by foot, horse or engine. Bridges have altered history by joining communities together, extending trade and transporting water to villages and cities. Some are of breathtaking beauty and it is little wonder that they rank among the world's most admired structures. As Marcus Binney writes, 'Each one is remarkable in its own way, each a response to a challenge and perhaps the realization of a dream.' This book looks at more than two hundred bridges spanning the world and the centuries. Here you will find, amongst others, an Inca suspension bridge made from grass ropes; the mile-long Roman aqueduct at Caesarea; the bridges of Venice; France's famous Millau Viaduct; the doubledecker, transporter, lift and stilt bridges produced by German precision engineering; Spain's Acueducto del Aguila (glowing in a bright livery of yellow and terracotta red); the awe-inspiring cantilever bridges built by railway engineers across major rivers in North America and India, and the world's longest suspension bridge at Kobe in Japan.
The extraordinary true story of Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to integrate a New Orleans school -- now with simple text for young readers! In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges walked through an angry crowd and into a school, changing history. This is the true story of an extraordinary little girl who became the first Black person to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. With simple text and historical photographs, this easy reader explores an amazing moment in history and celebrates the courage of a young girl who stayed strong in the face of racism.
Derived from military demolitions manuals, this informative book contains all the information a special operations soldier would need to take out all manner of bridges, including multiple simple span concrete slab bridges, cantilever bridges with suspension spans, filled spandrel masonry arch bridges and others. For academic study only.
Why were bridges invented? What did the first bridges look like? How do they stay up, and why are there so many different designs? From architecture to engineering (and other STEM subjects!), scale new heights on an enchanting journey with the school children in this book to discover answers to these questions along with other fascinating facts about bridges and how they work. Written and illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal nominee and STEAM Children's Book prize winner, Roman Belyaev.