oa Civil Engineering = Siviele Ingenieurswese - Developments in bridge design, with special reference to concrete arch-type bridges in South Africa

Abstract

This serves as an introduction to the accompanying papers on the Tsitsikama bridges. A brief history is given of the evolution of bridges, with special reference to arches. Modern understanding of the design process and design criteria for bridges are discussed in the list of developments in the philosophy of structural engineering. The Gouritz river bridge which, together with the Storms river and Van Staden's gorge bridges, was a forerunner of the above bridges, is descriptionbed in outline and the influence of 'secondary' effects on the results of the analysis is explained.