Royal Tweed Bridge
River Tweed, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
associated engineer
LG Mouchel & Partners
date 1928
era Modern |
category Bridge |
reference NT995528
ICE reference number HEW 695
An elegant reinforced concrete rib arch bridge which contributed, in its time, to awareness of the impact of structural engineering on design features. The largest of its four spans, at 110m, was also the longest in Britain when it was built.
Royal Tweed Bridge was designed by L.G. Mouchel & Partners, a firm with a long and distinguished association with reinforced concrete in the UK.
For its time, the bridge is notable for its size, and for the way its four span increase in size from south to north, taking into account the upward gradient. The spans measure 50.9m, 75.6m, 86.9m and 110m. There are also two approach viaduct spans of 60.6m and 44m.
The four-rib, segmental arches are open above low, rectangular piers. Open spandrels reveal the concrete truss work in the haunches of the arch, behind the striking vertical supports. These end at the roadway, which is topped by a low, solid concrete parapet in keeping with the clean lines of the bridge. There are expansion joints over the piers and abutments.
Royal Tweed Bridge was build to supplement an older masonry bridge nearby.
Construction: Holloway Bros Ltd
bibliography
"Historic Concrete: Background to Appraisal"
by R.J.M. Sutherland, D.Humm, M.Chrimes
Technology & Engineering, 2001
Location
Royal Tweed Bridge
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