IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF BRIDGES, VIADUCTS, PIERS, ROOFS, TRUSS GIRDERS, AND STAYS FOR ARCHITECTURAL PURPOSES
Year: 1838

page_text: SPECT
UN.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent and Mechanical Draftsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Seventeenth day of October, in the second year of Her reign,
and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Williani
Edward Newton, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors,
administrators or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF BRIDGES, VIADUCTS, PIERS, ROOFS, TRUSS GIRDERS, AND STAYS FOR
ARCHITECTURAL PURPOSES," being a communicatiom from a foreigner residing.
abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, obliging me,
the said William Edward Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the
same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Edward Newton, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon, that is to say :-
These improvements in the construction of bridges, viaducts, piers, roofs,
truss girders, and stays for architectural purposes, were communicated to me
by the Inventor, George Lewis Frederick Laves, Knight of the Royal Hano-
verian Guelphic Order, Architect to the King of Hanover, and residing in that
Kingdom, in whom all right, title, and interest in the said Patent is now
vested. The objects of the Invention are the construction of trussed beams, on a
principle of trussed girder, applicable to the various purposes above mentioned,
,which, from their peculiar conformation, will possess very great strength and
firmness, considering the comparatively small quantity or weight of materials
of which they are constituted; and the adaptation of such peculiar construc-
tions of trussed beams to the erection of bridges, viaducts, piers, roofs, and
other uses, by the employment of which the necessity of providing buttresses or
lateral bearings at the ends to resist the lateral pressure of an arch or of screw
holdfasts in the banks or piers to sustain the tension of a chain is superseded,
and the structure enabled to rest securely by its gravity or downward pressure
upon piers, piles, or other perpendicular supports. The Invention which I
claim under the above in part recited Letters Patent, consists in the peculiar
construction of trussed beams, and their adaptation to the above purposes,
which beams are formed by the union of opposing bows conjoined at their
ends and kept asunder by stretchers, or held together by tension rods. The
effect produced by these constructions of trussed beams, as applied for the
erection of bridges, &c., is, that whatever force or pressure may be exerted
upon the belly of the one bow will, owing to the junctions of their ends, tend
to bring both bows into a straight line, but by the resistance of the stretchers
they will be mutually supported or kept asunder, and the tendency of the one
bow or edge of the beam to expand by the force of the stretchers outward be
counteracted by the tendency of the other bow or edge of the beam to
contract by their pull inward, or when pressure is applied to the ends of
such trussed beams, the bows will be held together by the tension rods. In
this way are produced light but firm trussed beams, which will be found to be
extremely strong and rigid, considering the small amount of iron. or wood, or
other materials; of which they may be composed. The principles on which
these trussed beams are formed, it will be perceived, embrace a means of

page_text: neutralizing the effects of weight or pressure exerted in compressing in one
direction and expanding in the other, the materials of which the beam is
constituted. In the erection of an arch of stone or brick, or other material
combined as in Fig. 1 of the Drawings hereto annexed, the weight or pressure
exerted on the top of the arch a, a, supported laterally by the buttresses b, b,
would have a tendency to compress the stone or other materials into a smaller
compass, and to bring the arch into a straight line.
In the bridge, Fig. 2, constructed on the suspension principle, formed by a
chain a, a, made fast at its ends into the banks b, b, and supported by the
pillars c, c, the whole of the structure is carried by the chains hung in catena-
rian curves, and the tendency of the superincumbent weight would be to draw
the ends of the chains from their fastenings at b, b, or to extend the material
of which the catenarian curve is formed, and thereby to bring down the chain."
In the former of these erections very considerable buttresses must be provided
for the lateral supports of the arch, and in the latter a great impediment
frequently arises from the difficulty of being able to obtain secure fastenings.
to sustain the tension.
Fig. 3 represents a bridge constructed upon the improved plan formed by a
trussed beam placed horizontally, the resistance of all the parts of which exists
within itself, by the combination of the two powers contained in materials,
(viz.), that of resistance to compression and resistance to extension. The upper
part of the beam a, b, c, d, e, f, g, represents the arch, as described in the first
Figure, and the lower part a, h, i, k, l, m, g, the chain as in the second Figure.
By joining the ends of these together at a and 9, and introducing the inter-
mediate supports n, o, p, q, r, a truss beam is formed, in which the two forces
tending to compress in the first instance, and extend-in-the second, are entirely
neutralized, consequently the whole structure will bear upon the banks s, t,
simply with a perpendicular pressure. In this construction diagonal braces
may also be introduced in various directions, to give fairness and prevent
vibration.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 shew various modifications in the construction of
trussed beams, which may be applied to the purposes of perpendicular or
diagonal supports, stays, and braces. Fig. 4 represents in different positions
two pieces of wood or iron, joined at their ends by bolts or bands of iron,
and propped in several places to keep the bows open. Fig. 5 is a similar
arrangement of wood or iron formed in three bows. Figures 6 and 7,. the same.
principle of trussed beams, formed of wood or iron, in four or five bows; and,.
indeed, the principle may be extended to any number of bows.. Fig. 8 shews
a solid bar of iron tapered towards its ends, illustrating the same view (viz.),

page_text: that of economizing material and yet retaining strength. Figures 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, and 14 represent the elevations, floors, and sections of bridges formed with
two or three truss beams or girders, as explained in Fig. 3. The number of
the beams or girders may be increased and placed side by side, according to
the strength required. The elevation or open sides of the beams or girders
may be decorated with ornamental crosses, circles, or other forms at pleasure,
provided sufficient perpendicular stays are retained.
Figures 15, 16, 17, and 18, represent the elevation, plan, and transverse
sections of a bridge of large span. To enable the arch a, b, c, d, e, to resist
any pressure without increasing the weight too much, it may be constructed
of hollow cylinders of cast iron united at the points b, c, d, &c., with wrought-
iron bands, bolts, or screws, and the perpendicular and diagonal stays may be
constructed as explained in Figures 4. to 7.
Fig. 19 represents the mode of connecting the hollow rods and chains at
their end junctions.
Fig. 20 shews the mode of connecting two joined pieces of the hollow rod
with a perpendicular and two diagonal stays supported by part of the chain.
The dimensions of the rods and braces must depend upon the purpose for which
they are to be applied, and the magnitude of the erection required, which can
only be ascertained by calculating the strength of material in the way usually
done in such cases, and proportioning them to the required force of resistance.
These principles may be applied to the erection of wooden bridges, which in
some situations may be more convenient and less expensive than iron ones.
It is, however, to be particularly observed that the wood of which such trussed
beams are constructed must be perfectly sound throughout; the most simple
mode of forming the trussed beam in wood is shewn at Figures 21 and 22.
In producing the trussed beam, shewn at Fig. 22, I first take a straight solid
beam of timber, as a, b, Fig. 21, and cut or slit it through the middle by
means of a circular saw or otherwise in the longitudinal line from c to d,
leaving the ends a to c, and d to b, uncut; I then bolt or bind round the ends
firmly with iron at 7 and m, Fig. 22, and force out the middle part of the slit
by introducing wedges, blocks, or stretchers, at e, f, g, h, and i, k, and in other
places, if necessary, according to the length of the beam. In this way a
wooden trussed beam is produced on the same principle of the double bow as
before described in iron. Figs. 23 shew the end of the beam upon an enlarged
scale; Fig. 24 represents the same construction of trussed beam made in two
pieces, joined together in the middle of each bow, the upper bow by rebates
firmly bolted together, the lower bow by dovetail notches, held by correspond-
ing union blocks securely braced; Fig. 25 shews a similar construction, formed

page_text: by the junctions of several pieces; and Fig. 26 may represent à transverse'
section of either of the two last described trussed beams.
In case that a beam of sufficient, substance to be cut open as above cannot
be obtained, the ends of two beams may be connected and secured, as shewn
at Fig. 27; and Fig. 28 shews the end of the same upon a larger scale, secured
by bolts or bands. Figures 29, 30, and 31 exhibit the elevation, plan, and
transverse section of a large bridge of wood complete, constructed on the
above principle by the junction at a and b, of three lengths of timber in each
bow; the diagonal braces may be formed by trussed beams, if required, made
on the above principle. Figures 32 and 33 shew the mode of forming the.
junctions. The proportionate substances of the parts suited to the required
strength can only be known by calculating the resistance and tenacity of the
fibres of the particular kind of wood employed.
Bridges for temporary use, for military purposes, or for gardens, may be
constructed by combining rough arms of trees, as shewn at Fig. 34, which is.
a longitudinal elevation, and Fig. 35 a transverse section of the same. a, b, c,
and d, a, c, represent two rough forked arms of trees connected in the
middle in the way before described, and for temporary use, the stretchers and
braces may be attached by lashing ropes round at the junctions. Fig. 36.
shews one end of this bridge upon a larger scale; it is surprising with what
ease and expedition a strong bridge may be constructed in this way for the
passage of troops or any other purpose.
These principles of construction either in iron or wood admit of considerable
tasteful ornament and elegance of structure. Fig. 37 is an elevation, and
Fig 38 a plan, of a bridge, consisting of a series of trussed beams joined
end to end, and supported upon perpendicular pillars, piers, or piles. If the
banks of the river are sufficiently high to leave room under the bows for the.
passage of boats at high water, the floor of the bridge may be laid in a hori-:
zontal line, or a slight elevation may be given to the two ends and the
remainder placed horizontally, as the whole of the weight of these construction:
of bridges press perpendicularly and are comparatively very light; very small.
pillars will be sufficient to support them, and these may be constructed by
combining several poles and binding them together and enclosing them within
cast-iron cylinders.
Fig. 39 represents a bridge formed by only one span of trussed beam ;
Fig. 40 is the plan of the same. This bridge is raised upon very high piers
for the purpose of allowing vessels to pass under it; in the plan is shewn
the circuitous road and steps for ascending and descending..
Fig. 41 is an elevatiou, and Fig. 42 a plan, of a bridge, having an opening

page_text: or drawbridge in the middle for the passage of a tall vessel or ship; and
Figures 43 and 44 represent in plan other arrangements for the construction
of drawbridges at the ends. All these bridges are constructed upon the truss
beam principle first set out, therefore do not require any further explanation,
as the details of their construction may be varied according to taste and
circumstances.
A similar construction of trussed beam may be applied for supporting a roof.
which is required to be nearly flat, or for carrying a floor. Figures 45, 46, :
and 47 exhibit different mode of applying these principles or trussed beams;
for high roofs, the perpendicular stays may be prolonged as shewn at Fig. 45,
or several trussed beams may be combined as at Fig. 46. Floors of extensive
space may be likewise supported solely upon the end bearings, and will be found.
to be extremely firm.
The same principles may be applied to the construction of light ladders,
particularly for fire escapes, as shewn at Figures 48 and 49, and which may
also be occasionally employed as bridges to pass from one house to another:
across a street, or for scaling walls, and might be readily made in parts for
the convenience of being transported from place to place, and quickly put
together when occasion should require.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
WILLIAM EP (L.S.) NEWTON.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Seventeenth day of April, in
the second year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the said William
Edward Newton came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and
acknowledged the instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the instrument
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the
fifty-fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Seventeenth day of April, One thousand eight hundred and
thirty-nine.