The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges
offered by Princeton University

Private University
500 acre campus
Estd. 1746

The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges
at
Princeton University
Overview

Learn about bridge design and discover how structural engineering is a creative discipline and art form.

Duration	8 weeks
Mode of learning	Online
Schedule type	Self paced
Difficulty level	Beginner
Official Website	Go to Website
Course Level	UG Certificate

The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges
at
Princeton University
Highlights

well-organized, fascinating course
Highly Experienced Faculty

The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges
at
Princeton University
Course details

What are the course deliverables?

How to solve for the efficiency of structures using the appropriate formulas
How to evaluate a structure within the measures of structural art
How economic, social and culture influences structural design
How to analyze bridge forms: suspension, beams, pre-stressed, arch, cable-stayed, tied-arch

More about this course

In this engineering course you will learn how to analyze bridges from three perspectives:
Efficiency = calculations of forces/stresses
Economy = evaluation of societal context and cost
Elegance = form/appearance based on engineering principles, not decoration
With a focus on some significant bridges built since the industrial revolution, the course illustrates how engineering is a creative discipline and can become art. We also show the influence of the economic and social context in bridge design and the interplay between forces and form.

The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges
at
Princeton University
Curriculum

Week 1: Introduction to Structural Art

Week 2: The Origins of Structural Art: British Metal Forms

Week 3: John Roebling and the Brooklyn Bridge

Week 4: Othmar Ammann and (some of) his Bridges of NYC

Week 5: The Golden Gate Bridge

Week 6: Robert Maillart and Reinforced Concrete Bridges

Week 7: Origins of Prestressing: Freyssinet, Magnel, and Finsterwalder

Week 8: New Bridge Forms: Christian Menn

Week 9: The Politics and Art of Spanish Bridge Design

The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges
at
Princeton University
Faculty details

Maria Garlock

Maria Garlock is a professor of civil and environmental engineering and directs the Program in Architecture and Engineering at Princeton University. She received her BSE and Ph.D. at Lehigh University in 1991 and 2002, respectively, and her MSE at Cornell University in 1993.