The Tower and the Bridge: The New Art of Structural Engineering
by David P. Billington
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Description
An essential exploration of the engineering aesthetics of celebrated structures from long-span bridges to high-rise buildingsWhat do structures such as the Eiffel Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the concrete roofs of Pier Luigi Nervi have in common? According to The Tower and the Bridge, all are striking examples of structural art, an exciting area distinct from either architecture or machine design. Aided by stunning photographs, David Billington discusses the technical concerns and show more artistic principles underpinning the well-known projects of leading structural engineer-artists, including Othmar Ammann, Félix Candela, Gustave Eiffel, Fazlur Khan, Robert Maillart, John Roebling, and many others. A classic work, The Tower and the Bridge introduces readers to the fundamental aesthetics of engineering. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
A classic!
After reading this book I wanted to quit work and return to school to study civil engineering. Of course, I made the mistake of mentioning this to my wife, who fell into paroxysms of laughter, saying she had seen some of the stuff I had built at home, and there was no way she would ever go on a bridge that I designed.
Billington discusses the interrelationship of efficiency, economy, and aesthetics and how great engineering works combine all three of these to the exclusion of none. The great designers manage to balance beauty with simplicity and cost. Frankly, I found this book riveting (pun intended, although he really celebrates the use of concrete as opposed to steel) and never fail to look carefully at bridges with a new eye.
After reading this book I wanted to quit work and return to school to study civil engineering. Of course, I made the mistake of mentioning this to my wife, who fell into paroxysms of laughter, saying she had seen some of the stuff I had built at home, and there was no way she would ever go on a bridge that I designed.
Billington discusses the interrelationship of efficiency, economy, and aesthetics and how great engineering works combine all three of these to the exclusion of none. The great designers manage to balance beauty with simplicity and cost. Frankly, I found this book riveting (pun intended, although he really celebrates the use of concrete as opposed to steel) and never fail to look carefully at bridges with a new eye.
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Author Information
15 Works 239 Members
David P. Billington is Gordon Y.S. Wu Professor of Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of the Program in Architecture and Engineering at Princeton University.
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Tower and the Bridge: The New Art of Structural Engineering
- Original publication date
- 1983
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Art & Design, History, Technology, Science & Nature, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 624.2 — Applied science & technology Engineering Bridges & Tunnels Bridges
- LCC
- TA636 .B54 — Technology Engineering Civil engineering (General). Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) Structural engineering (General)
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 90
- Popularity
- 357,103
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.60)
- Languages
- English, German, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 9
- ASINs
- 1
