Reinforced Concrete Bridges and Related Technology Time Line

1867 Joseph Monier patents method of reinforcing large concrete flower pots with iron
mesh.

1873 Monier’s son, Jean, patents related iron reinforcing network for concrete bridges.
This system required lengths of iron reinforcing rods that would be laid along the arch
between beds of sand and mortar.

1880 Monier’s bridge patent was sold for use in Germany/Austria. Several bridges were
constructed using this method with continued refinements. These included lower and
upper rods between the upper and lower edges of the arch rings. Later, networks of rods
inserted above the lower edge of the arch ring and supplemented with sections of mesh
(rods) in upper ring area near abutments or across entire upper ring. Increased reliance
on concrete and movement away from mere mortar beds (cement and sand) between
metal members.

1887 German Royal architect, A. Koenen dev.s and publishes method for calculating
stress in such structures. Spurs construction of similar structures throughout Europe.

1890 Joseph Melan, Viennese engineer, develops hybrid system for r-c bridge design.
Metal the main structural component here with a concrete case. Series of parallel metal
arches encased in concrete. Span depended upon wide bent iron I-beams. 1892 Austrian
Soc. of Engr.s test proved Melan arches were 4 times stronger than Monier system.

1893 Melan secures U.S. patent. Est.s Melan Arch Construction Co. in NYC. Monier’s
system rejected by U.S. engrs as too light.

1897 Fritz von Emperger patents modified Melan system. Used parallel curved I or T
beams with distance rods to stabilize them, creating a sort of Warren pattern. Eventually,
this would evolve into an arched girder with a lattice pattern.