Abstract
The Iron Bridge completed in 1779 was the world’s first bridge. It is located at the world heritage site of Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, England. In order to predict the stress distribution and deformation in the bridge, the Iron Bridge was modelled and analysed using the finite element method. The maximum tensile stress was predicted to occur in the strut close to the middle of the bridge, which could be the reason why the strut failed. The numerically predicted deformations in the circles and ogees in the Iron Bridge are in agreement with the observed deformations. It is concluded that for the conservation and maintenance of the historic Iron Bridge, modern numerical simulations are invaluable for providing guidance.
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