One of the most epic engineering feats in history - Alex Gendler
TED-Ed・4 minutes read
The Brooklyn Bridge, a hybrid of suspension and cable-stayed bridges, was completed in 1883 after facing challenges like budget overruns and faulty wires, showcasing the innovative design by John Roebling and his son Washington Roebling. Utilizing over 5,600 kilometers of metal wire, the bridge stands as an iconic structure in New York City, a testament to the work of three generations of the Roebling family.
Insights
- John Roebling proposed a revolutionary hybrid bridge design in 1867 that combined features from suspension and cable-stayed bridges, utilizing large cables supported by central pillars and diagonal cables running to support towers, enabling the construction of a bridge deck spanning over 480 meters.
- The completion of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883, after 14 years of construction and numerous challenges, stands as a testament to the innovative engineering of the Roeblings, showcasing a blend of gothic towers and intersecting cables that have made it an iconic structure in New York City.
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Recent questions
How did the Brooklyn Bridge come to be?
Through a hybrid design combining suspension and cable-stayed bridges, proposed by John Roebling in 1867, utilizing large cables and central pillars.
What challenges did the Brooklyn Bridge face during construction?
Challenges included budget overruns, faulty wires, dangerous working conditions, and the threat of decompression sickness.
What materials were used in constructing the Brooklyn Bridge?
Over 5,600 kilometers of metal wire were used for the cables, with towers standing over 90 meters above sea level.
Who oversaw the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge after John Roebling's death?
Construction was overseen by Washington Roebling after John Roebling's death, utilizing pneumatic caissons for tower foundations.
What is the significance of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City?
The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883 after 14 years and over 400 million dollars, remains an iconic structure showcasing a blend of gothic towers and intersecting cables.
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Summary
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Roebling's Hybrid Bridge: Brooklyn's Iconic Structure
- In the mid-19th century, European suspension bridges faced collapses due to frayed cables, prompting German-American engineer John Roebling to propose a hybrid bridge model over New York's East River in 1867. Combining features from suspension and cable-stayed bridges, Roebling's design incorporated large cables supported by central pillars and diagonal cables running to support towers, allowing for a deck spanning over 480 meters.
- To support the massive weight of the bridge's 14,680-ton deck, over 5,600 kilometers of metal wire were used for the cables, with towers standing over 90 meters above sea level. Construction began in 1870 under Washington Roebling after John Roebling's death, utilizing pneumatic caissons to establish the tower foundations, despite dangerous working conditions and the threat of decompression sickness.
- The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883 after 14 years and over 400 million dollars, faced challenges such as budget overruns and faulty wires from the cable contractor. Reinforcements were made, and the bridge, a testament to the work of three generations of Roeblings, remains an iconic structure in New York City, showcasing a blend of gothic towers and intersecting cables.
