ISBN Bridges ( The science and art of the world's most inspiring structures ) English

Bridges touch all our lives - every day we are likely to cross a bridge or go under one. How many of us stop to consider how the bridge stands up and what sort of people designed and built something so strong? Bridge building is a magnificent example of the practical and every day use of science. However the story of bridges goes beyond science and technology and involves issues relating to artistic and cultural development. After all bridges are built by people for people. Bridges can be icons for whole cities; just consider New York's Brooklyn Bridge London's Tower Bridge and Sydney's Harbour Bridge. Such bridges can be considered functional public art as they have the power to delight or be an eyesore. David Blockley explains how to read a bridge in all its different forms design and construction and the way the forces flow through arches and beams. He combines the engineering of how bridges stand up with the cultural aesthetic and historical importance they hold. Drawing on examples of particular bridges from around the world he also looks in detail at the risk engineers take when building bridges and examines why things sometimes go wrong.