WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
Ancient and modern engineering and the Isthmian canal cover

Ancient and modern engineering and the Isthmian canal

Chapter 2: INTRODUCTION.
By William H. Burr
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Engineering & TechnologyHistory - Ancient

About This Book

A series of six lectures reworked for publication surveys civil engineering from ancient to modern times, outlining hydraulic and structural achievements in Mesopotamia and Egypt, Roman roads, aqueducts, harbors, and practical rules of ancient practice. It then follows the evolution of bridges and contemporary theory, treating stresses, materials, construction methods, and mechanical appliances. The closing sections compare proposed interoceanic canal routes across the Central American isthmus, notably Nicaragua and Panama, evaluating topography, alignment, water supply, lock versus sea-level schemes, and constructability using photographic illustrations and technical analysis.

INTRODUCTION.

This book is the outcome of a course of six lectures delivered at the Cooper Union in the city of New York in February and March, 1902, under the auspices of Columbia University. It seemed desirable by the President of the University that the subject-matter of the lectures should be prepared for ultimate publication. The six Parts of the book, therefore, comprise the substance of the six lectures, suitably expanded for the purposes of publication.

It may be interesting to state that the half-tone illustrations have, with scarcely an exception, been prepared from photographs of the actual subjects illustrated. All such illustrations in Parts V and VI devoted to the Nicaragua and Panama Canal routes are made from photographs at the various locations by members of the force of the Isthmian Canal Commission; they are, therefore, absolutely true representations of the actual localities to which they apply.

For other illustrations the author wishes to express his indebtedness to Messrs. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Messrs. Turneaure and Russell, John Wiley & Sons, The Morrison-Jewell Filtration Company, Mr. H. M. Sperry, Signal Engineer, The Engineering News, The Railroad Gazette, The American Society of Civil Engineers, The Standard Switch and Signal Company, The Baldwin Locomotive Works, the American Locomotive Works, Mr. Clemens Herschel, and the International Pump Company, and to others from whom the author has received courtesies which he deeply appreciates.

The classification or division of the matter of the text, and the table of contents, have been made so complete, with a view to convenience even of the desultory reader in seeking any particular subject or paragraph, that no index has been prepared, as it is believed that the table of contents, as arranged, practically supplies the information ordinarily given by a comprehensive index.

Complete and detailed treatments of the purely technical matters covered by Part II will be found in the author’s “Elasticity and Resistance of Materials” and in his “Stresses in Bridge and Roof Trusses, Arched Ribs and Suspension Bridges.”

W. H. B.

Columbia University,
October 24, 1902.