WOODEN BRIDGES
Part 1 : Historical Background (3)

Dominique Rene CALVI
Professor – Ecole Nationale Superiéure des Technologies et Industries du Bois, Epinal
Address: 27, rue du Merle Blanc, B.P. 1041-88051, Epinal, Cedex 9, France
E-mail: calvidominique@aol.com

Abstract:
This paper represents a continuation of the article initiated two issues ago, referring to the history of wooden bridges, as introductive part of a broader presentation concerning also examples of recent works, facts on durable conception, research and development of such structures. The present paper provides information on the different types of wooden bridges which were built during the 18th and 19th, when the most daring wooden bridges structures were born, first in Europe, and then in America. In contradiction to this period of glory, the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century (more precisely, the period 1870-1970) is described as a “wandering in the desert”, a barren period, lacking significant contributions in the field of wooden constructions.

Key word: wooden bridges, wooden construction, history.