The European Influence on Laminated Timber Arch Bridges in Colonial Australia, 1852-90

This paper investigates the strong European influence on timber bridge design and construction in the early Australian colonies. This investigation found that, whilst laminated timber arch bridges were expedient and cost-effective in the short term in the early Australian colonies, they presented maintenance and durability problems in the longer term. As a result they were progressively replaced by more effectively designed large span timber truss, metal or later concrete bridges. Considerable knowledge and artisan skills were acquired during this period in building such large structures with limited resources, other than natural materials and ingenuity. Nevertheless these bridges very admirably fulfilled their intended purpose until traffic loading and volume increased and alternative material costs decreased sufficiently to warrant eventual replacement.