10-09-2006, 03:15 AM
What is the earliest medieval segmental arch bridge? The Ponte Vecchio in Florence (1335), as it is conventionally assumed, or the Pont St Benezet in Avignon (around 1180)?
Obviously, the arches of the Avignon bridge are more shallow than a text book semi-circle arch, but are they shallow enough to be classified as segmental arches? In case of the Florentine bridge, the main arch is 30m and the rise-to-span ratio is 1 to 5. And the Pont St Benezet?
[size=75:1b9nbx1l]When the thread goes well, I am going to open up one on Roman bridges. [/size]
Obviously, the arches of the Avignon bridge are more shallow than a text book semi-circle arch, but are they shallow enough to be classified as segmental arches? In case of the Florentine bridge, the main arch is 30m and the rise-to-span ratio is 1 to 5. And the Pont St Benezet?
[size=75:1b9nbx1l]When the thread goes well, I am going to open up one on Roman bridges. [/size]
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
