[3] Mr. David A. Molitor has a chapter, copiously illustrated, on the esthetic design of bridges, beginning page 11 in the “Theory and Practice of Modern Framed Structures,” by Mr. J. B. Johnson and other authors, New York, John Wiley & Sons. Eighth edition, revised and enlarged. $10.00.
CHAPTER IV
FORM—Continued. WEIGHT AND FRICTION DIMINISHED.
Why supports are made hollow . . . Advantages of the arch in buildings, bridges and dams . . . Tubes in manifold new services . . . Wheels more important than ever . . . Angles give way to curves.
Having glanced at methods by which forms, judiciously chosen, economize the materials of buildings and rails, of bridges diverse in type, we pass to further consideration of these and like shapes, to find that they effect a saving in material while they make feasible a new boldness of plan, and introduce new elements of beauty. We will also remark that judicious forms prevent waste of energy as structures are either set in motion, or serve to convey moving bodies. Incidentally we shall see that well chosen shapes insure a structure against undue hurt and harm.
Square
Octagonal