Hinges in historic concrete and masonry arches

Abstract

The three-hinged arch, while increasingly common in steel bridge construction from the 1860s, was introduced more reluctantly into masonry and concrete bridge building. However, by the end of the nineteenth century, it had found widespread application, particularly in Germany. Considerations of crack prevention as well as ease and consistency of the mechanical modelling of masonry arches were evidently the driving forces behind this development. The present paper describes the history of the hinged vaulted bridge, from the first suggestions by the eminent French engineer Jules Dupuit (published in 1870) up to the early years of the twentieth century. Particular attention is given to temporary and ‘imperfect’ hinges which may be neither visible nor active in the finished state of the bridge, and to the historic development and design of permanent hinges, outlining the range of constructive solutions the modern engineer may encounter when assessing the state of a late nineteenth century vaulted bridge.