LONDON

BRIDGE
FREDDY MORA
TECHNICAL ENGLISH

The Tower Bridge, in English Tower Bridge, is a bridge that

crosses the River Thames in London. It combines the
characteristics of swing bridge and suspension bridge. It is built
in neo-Gothic Victorian style, and is located near the Tower of
London, which gives it its name.

CONSTRUCTION

Construction started in 1886 and took eight years with five major contractors
Sir John Jackson (foundations), Baron Armstrong (hydraulics), William
Webster , Sir HH Bartlett , and Sir William Arrol & Co. [3] and employed 432
construction workers. EW Crutwell was the resident engineer for the
construction.

Two enormous pillars, containing more than 70,000 tons of concrete, were
sunk into the riverbed to support the construction. More than 11,000 tons of
steel provide the framework for towers and walkways. This was then coated
with Cornish granite and Portland stone, both to protect the underlying steel
structure and give the bridge a pleasing appearance.

The old photographs show the steel base of the bridge,

something that many were unaware of, since the outside of the
bridge is covered with stone. The architect responsible for the
design of the bridge was Horace Jones, succeeded after his death
by John Wolfe-Barry. It was he who insisted that the bridge be
covered with stone.

The two movable platforms that form the bridge are elevated thanks to the hydraulic mechanisms
located in the bases of the towers. Initially, they worked with steam engines. In a couple of
minutes the bridge is open, the platforms rise to 86 degrees. In 1976, the hydraulic system was
renewed, replacing the water that moved the mechanism by oil, in addition to electric motors.

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