Charles Pfeifer’s structural analyses and Henry Flad’s balanced cantilever erection of the St. Louis Bridge, 1867-1874.
Henry Flad’s and Charles Pfeifer’s contributions to the conceptual design of the St. Louis Bridge are described in the context of the Coblenz Bridge over the Rhine, completed in 1864. Pfeifer used linear-elastic, non-prismatic beam models and Navier’s moment-curvature equation for curved beams for structural analysis of the arches. Pfeifer combined effects of partial gravity live loads and temperature changes and sized the chords and diagonals. His results are assessed by SAP2000 computer analyses. Flad’s patented system for controlling the principal stay force during the balanced cantilever erection of the arches is explained. Observations are made on the significance of the St. Louis Bridge on American bridge engineering.
Learning Objectives
- Understand Claude Navier's 1826 derivation of the moment-curvature and displacement equations for curved beams.
- Know the use of the moment-curvature and displacement equations for analysis of statically indeterminate beam problems.
- Understand active, albeit manual, control of a stay force.
1 CE Credit
Location
Cliff Dwellers Club
200 S. Michigan Ave, 22nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
Complimentary appetizers available: 5 – 6 pm
Presentation time: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Registration
This event is FREE, and will be both in-person as well as live-streamed. You must RSVP in order to attend, whether online or in person.
About the Speaker
Dario Gasparini
Professor Emeritus, Case Western Reserve University
Dario Gasparini is Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. He is the recipient of the 2009 IIT Sidney A. Guralnick Excellence in Teaching Award. As a member of the Cleveland Section of the ASCE, he has written successful nominations for the Main Avenue Viaduct and the Baldwin Water Treatment Plant and Reservoir as ASCE National Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks. He is the recipient of the 2022 ASCE History and Heritage Award.
