Mathematical Bridge: Difference between revisions
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The '''Mathematical Bridge''' is the popular name of a wooden [[bridge]] across the [[River Cam]], between two parts of [[Queens' College, Cambridge]]. Its official name is simply the '''Wooden Bridge'''. |
The '''Mathematical Bridge''' is the popular name of a wooden [[bridge]] across the [[River Cam]], between two parts of [[Queens' College, Cambridge]]. Its official name is simply the '''Wooden Bridge'''. |
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The bridge was designed by William Etheridge, and built by James Essex in 1749. It has been rebuilt on two occasions, in 1866 and in 1905, but has kept the same overall design. |
The bridge was designed by [[William Etheridge]], and built by [[James Essex]] in 1749. It has been rebuilt on two occasions, in 1866 and in 1905, but has kept the same overall design. |
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The original "mathematical bridge" was another bridge of the same design, also designed by James Essex, crossing the Cam between [[Trinity College, Cambridge|Trinity]] and [[Trinity Hall, Cambridge|Trinity Hall]], where Garret Hostel bridge now stands. |
The original "mathematical bridge" was another bridge of the same design, also designed by James Essex, crossing the Cam between [[Trinity College, Cambridge|Trinity]] and [[Trinity Hall, Cambridge|Trinity Hall]], where Garret Hostel bridge now stands. |
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Revision as of 21:00, 11 January 2009
The Mathematical Bridge is the popular name of a wooden bridge across the River Cam, between two parts of Queens' College, Cambridge. Its official name is simply the Wooden Bridge.
The bridge was designed by William Etheridge, and built by James Essex in 1749. It has been rebuilt on two occasions, in 1866 and in 1905, but has kept the same overall design.
The original "mathematical bridge" was another bridge of the same design, also designed by James Essex, crossing the Cam between Trinity and Trinity Hall, where Garret Hostel bridge now stands.
Mathematical explanation
The arrangement of timbers is a series of tangents that describe the arc of the bridge, with radial members to tie the tangents together and triangulate the structure, making it rigid and self supporting. This type of structure, technically tangent and radial trussing, is an efficient structural use of timber, and was also used for the timber supporting arches (centring) used for building stone bridges.
Myths
Popular fable is that the bridge was designed and built by Sir Isaac Newton without the use of nuts or bolts, and at some point in the past students or fellows attempted to take the bridge apart and put it back together. The over-ambitious engineers were unable to match Newton's feat of engineering, and had to resort to fastening the bridge by nuts and bolts. In reality bolts or the equivalent are in inherent part of the design. When it was first built, iron spikes were used and could not be seen from the inside of the parapets, explaining why bolts were thought to be an addition to the original. Isaac Newton died in 1727, 22 years before the bridge was constructed.