Video above by Sabins Civil Engineering It promises to reveal “the magic behind da Vinci’s freestanding bridge.” This sounds like a classic example of YouTube hyperbole, but at first glance it’s quite obvious how this flimsy-looking structure could withstand, let alone support the weight of a crossing army. Not. Not only does this design use no permanent joints, but the narrator states, “The more weight you put on the bridge, the stronger it becomes.” The key is the unique way the pieces interlock and create a “friction lock” that directs forces and ensures stability.
However, just remove one part of the bridge and the whole thing will collapse. This is more of a feature than a bug. Designed to facilitate the movement of troops, this structure can be dismantled even more easily than when it was erected, to prevent its use by the enemy. first place.
Just one of Leonardo’s many instruments of war, the bridge was conceived under the patronage of a famous politician. Cesare Borgia (Niccolò Machiavelli’s main inspiration prince), employed him as an architect and military engineer in the early 1500s.
Leonardo’s bridge designs have proven influential 5,000 years after his death, so remember him the next time you cross Istanbul’s Galata Bridge. There is no evidence that he built any bridges during his lifetime. But unlike most of his inventions, realized or theoretical, you can start building it yourself today without much difficulty. The video shows an example large enough to walk across, so it may seem less stable than it actually is. Fortunately, for students looking to gain a practical understanding of self-supporting bridges, the same engineering principles apply equally well. More manageable popsicle stick scale — A modern building material that even Leonardo himself would have marveled at.
Related content:
Leonardo da Vinci’s ingenious way to build freestanding bridges: Renaissance innovations that can still be enjoyed today
MIT researchers 3D print the bridge imagined by Leonardo da Vinci in 1502 and prove it actually works
Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions turned into museum-quality working models: swing bridges, sickled chariots, perpetual motion machines, and more
Leonardo da Vinci’s ingenious invention recreated in 3D animation
Leonardo da Vinci draws designs for future war machines: tanks, machine guns and more
Built to last: How ancient Roman bridges can withstand the weight of modern cars and trucks
Based in Seoul, Colin Mbemust write and broadcastIt’s about cities, languages ​​and cultures. His projects include the Substack newsletter books about cities and a book Stateless City: A Stroll Through Los Angeles in the 21st Century. Follow him on the social network formerly known as Twitter. @Colinbemust.
