Written By: Jack Robertson
Today, we had the pleasure of visiting the Bilbao School of Engineering once again, learning about much of the research and projects that take place there. However, something that resonated with me more deeply than I expected was visiting the Vizcaya Bridge, which is located near the coast of Bilbao.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizcaya_Bridge
The Vizcaya Bridge was originally built in the late 1800s. At the time, many people in Bilbao needed to travel back and forth across the river it spans, but there was no efficient way to do so. While a traditional bridge could have addressed this issue, the townspeople were concerned about how it might obstruct the passage of large ships traversing the river.
To address this challenge, engineers decided to construct an extremely tall bridge that allowed boats to pass underneath without obstruction. To access the upper level, elevators were installed on both sides of the bridge. Additionally, a suspended platform hangs above the water and moves along a track installed on the top of the bridge, transporting both people and vehicles across the river.
What I found especially interesting was that, since welding was not commonly used at the time of the bridge’s construction, the builders used rivets to assemble it. In total, the bridge contains over 400,000 rivets and has been standing for more than 100 years. This truly highlights the level of care and planning that went into its construction, where the engineers designed it with durability and long-time strength in mind.
Overall, I believe the Vizcaya Bridge stands as a very successful and innovative feat of engineering, especially for its time. Its use of older construction techniques, such as riveting, and its ability to still remain fully functional for over a century is truly impressive. Today, it serves not only as an iconic landmark in the city, but also as a vital and functional structure in the daily lives of many people in the area.
Learning about this bridge reinforced much of the lessons I’ve learned about engineering, particularly the importance of designing structures that are not only safe, but built to last. The Vizcaya Bridge has withstood harsh weather and a variety of conditions, yet it still stands tall today. I hope that in my future career, I can contribute to projects that reflect the same level of preparation, care, and technique, being able to last long periods of time and working to the best of their ability.