David P. Billington Libros

"Radical Engineering presents the history and engineering principles of key 20th-century US-based innovations"-- Provided by publisher

An essential exploration of the engineering aesthetics of celebrated structures from long-span bridges to high-rise buildings What 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 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.

This is a revision of the standard reference,updated and made more practical. Much theoretical material has been excised,and a multitude of applications and examples have been added. Worked-out designs for cooling towers,water tanks,and point-supported domes have been added. The emphasis is now placed on useful material on the analysis and design of concrete shells for the practicing architect and engineer. The book covers in detail the practice in designing shells developed over the last 20 years both in America and abroad and stresses the importance of most recent developments in shell design.