Masonry arch bridge over the Seine at Neuilly (Paris), 1768
notes: label: Description
content: This model is of the masonry arch bridge over the Seine at Neuilly designed by Jean Rudolph Perronet. The model displays each of the five arches at different stages of completion, cofferdams pile driving, laying foundation masonry, arch centering, laying of arch rings and spandrel masonry. Along with these different phases of construction are model figures of the personnel and machinery used at each step. The scale of the model is 1” to 15’ and is approximately 63” long by 16” wide and 4” high.
label: Description
content: The actual bridge, completed in 1774, was built across the Seine at Neuilly, a western suburb of Paris. It had an arch span and rise of 128’ by 32’ and a total length of 766’. The bridge had extremely flat arches, providing a poignant example of stone bridge masonry of the period. It had five arches, each nearly 130 feet thick, between piers that were only 13 feet thick, giving the bridge an open and light appearance. Through the construction of this bridge, Perronet evolved the concept of flatter, longer-spanning arches developed by Italian engineers in the 16th century. Knowledge about stone strength in compression allowed him to create lighter and more ornate piers that were nearly half of the previously accepted pier thickness. The bridge was replaced in 1938 as engineering knowledge and technology evolved.
label: Description
content: Jean Rudolph Perronet (1708-1794) was one of the most eminent theoreticians and constructors of stone arches during the late 18th century when France led the world in this field. Perronet entered the architectural world under the guidance of Jean Beausire, known as the “first architect of the City of Paris,” at the age of 18. During the early years of his career, he worked on the design and construction of Paris’ grand sewer and other projects in different parts of France. Along with the Pont de Neuilly, Perronet designed other bridges in France such as the Pont de la Concorde, which crosses the Seine near the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Mechanical and Civil Engineering
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: MC.321402
label: catalog number
content: 321402
label: accession number
content: 244398
objectType: label: Object Name
content: Bridge, Construction
label: Object Name
content: bridge, construction model
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: overall: 70 in x 18 in x 10 in; 177.8 cm x 45.72 cm x 25.4 cm
label: Measurements
content: overall: 83 in x 36 in x 49 in; 210.82 cm x 91.44 cm x 124.46 cm