Bridges presentation
probably the oldest wire-cable suspension bridge in the world, with its carefully replicated wooden
stiffening truss and deck. Several of Séguin's first-generation wire-cable suspension bridges, dating
from the 1830s, remain over the Rhône at Andance and Fourques, but the decks have been replaced
with steel. Wire cable attained its place as the system par excellence for long-span bridges in 1834,
with the 870ft (265m) Fribourg Bridge, designed by Joseph Chaley over the Sarine in Switzerland.
From this developed the typical European standard - cables of parallel, thin wires, light decks
stiffened by wooden trusses, piers and abutments sunk - using hydraulic cement - of which hundreds
were built.
Figure 16 Menai Suspension Bridge (1826)(UK) sat on
massive stone piers and viaduct approaches to gain the
50ft (15m) clearance required by the British Admiralty
for the passage of ships. Shunsuke Baba, photographer
annaabi.ee 
