But the bridge needed to be tested for an accidental unbalanced point load from, say, an oxcart. To make it more exciting and realistic, two very large water buffaloes were brought onto the bridge, and there were no visual signs of strain. Upon the bridge s completion, the village erupted in a large celebration, complete with performances and fireworks. The team concluded that the original Rainbow Bridge did in fact exist and was most likely built this way. The bridge behaves as a pure arch, period, and demonstrates the startling ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Sung dynasty engineers.
China is home to the world s longest-surviving civilization.
It has continuously existed, but for a minor interruption, since the beginning of recorded time. The Chinese understandably feel that time is on their side. China appears to be a highly organized, highly efficient, and hard-working nation, fast on its way to further development. From this assignment the members of the design and construction team were reminded that engineers can, and indeed should, do more to present their work to the public in an imaginative and engaging manner. There is much more to engineering than getting a degree and working for a good firm from 9 to 5.