Sustainable Strengthening of Structures (History of Edward William Bridge of Pontypridd)

SUSTAINABLE STRENGTHENING OF STRUCTURES

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History of Edward William bridge of Pontypridd

Pontypridd comes from a Welsh name that means a bridge from the earthen house. The construction of the bridge by Edward was contracted with a clause that Edward had to maintain the bridge for seven successive years.

Edward William bridge of Pontypridd was the last surviving of three other successive bridges. The total cost of the bridge construction was about £ 11153 included the three failed attempts. To Edward William this was a loss of about £ 600. This acted as a great discouragement to Edward William and even left him with a debt. However this did not stop him from trying till he succeeded. The bridge was completed in the year 1756, after a successive of three attempts which had gradually failed. The first three-arched bridge was destroyed and swept away by a flood. The second single span bridge was also swept away by a flood as it was constructed using timber. The third bridge was too heavy for its own weight and it collapsed during construction. During the construction of the Edward William bridge of Pontypridd , it was the longest stone bridge that was constructed in a single-span design in the world. The bridge rises 35 feet (11 meters) above the river level. The bridge is designed to portray a circular segment with a cord measuring about 140 feet (43 meters).

The bridge has a unique architectural feature. This includes three holes that have varying diameters which are situated at the end of the bridge. The diameter of the holes were 8.9 feet (2.7m), 5.6 feet (1.7m), and the last one with 3.6 feet (1.1m).These three circle are meant to reduce the bridge's weight and pressure, but also portrayed an aesthetically pleasing nature. A lot of debate ensued from the bridge's utility. The bridge was too steep that it made it extremely difficult to get carts and horses across the bridge. The bridge is still operating up to today but only used by...