PowerPoint Presentation

The Brooklyn BridgeZack HighBryan StecklerAndrea FraserZach Lewis1Where is it? New York City

New York City2What area are we talking about?

3What is it?Steel suspension bridge Revered engineering achievementIntegral facet of New Yorks infrastructureNationally celebrated landmarkImportant cultural symbol of the U.S.A national monumenta great work of art.

4What is its purpose?Connect boroughs of Manhattan & BrooklynProvide fast, easy commute across the East River

5How big is it?Main span of 1,595 feetTotal length of 6,016 feetWidth of 85 feetTotal area of 511,360 ft2 (.06 the size of the National Mall)Clearance of 135 feet below bridgeTower height of 276 feet (almost 28 stories)67By whom was it designed and built?Designed by John Roebling in late 1850sBridge plan wasnt approved until 1869Tetanus infection from a surveying injury resulted in Roeblings death in 1869His son, Washington Roebling, became chief engineer of the bridgeRoebling and his team began construction in 1870

8John Roebling

9Why was it built?John Roeblings frustrations with the ferry across the East RiverEfficiently move goods (and people) between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

10When was it completed?Completed in 1883Opened on May 24, 1883 (celebrations followed)Called the Great East River Bridge and the Great Suspension Bridge

11How much did it cost?Total cost was $15.1 million (double the original cost)Enactment of 3 toll to cross the bridge until it had been paid for (free today)

12To whom does it belong?66.7% public property33.3% owned by Borough of BrooklynCurrently maintained by New York City Department of Transportation

13Engineering SuccessesThe worlds first steel-wire suspension bridgeThe worlds longest suspension bridge upon completionOne of the oldest suspension bridges still in existence todayGreat functionality coupled with impressive and aesthetically pleasing architectural designInspired engineers to design and build successively more ambitious bridges

14Social & Economic SuccessesBrought prestige to New YorkRealty in Brooklyn soaredImmense economic prosperity for BrooklynFirst glimpse of consolidation into Greater New YorkGreat source of inspiration for authors, artists, and photographers

15Whom does it benefit?Essentially benefits the residents of both Manhattan and BrooklynAllows people to live in Brooklyn and commute to Manhattan easily

16Is anybody disadvantaged?Incredibly expensive (temporary toll)Repairing, upgrading, and rehabilitating it -Diversion of Manhattan-bound trafficNobody specifically is truly disadvantaged

17Any environmental impacts?Increased TrafficConversion from public transit to use for motor vehiclesIncreased NoiseBrooklyn Bridge Park: rehabilitation of Brooklyns post-industrial waterfront

1819Engineering ChallengesConstruction of tower caissons Construction of steel cablesSurveying of abutments and digging beneath riverbed Development of steel cabling, a new idea at the time.

20Soil TypeParent Rock of Glacial OriginConstruction of the Brooklyn caisson hit bedrock after around 44 feet and was filled with concrete to create the base. The plan for the Manhattan Caisson was originally to lower it 106 feet to hit the bedrock, but as they got lower and lower, and the dangers became more apparent. By taking soil samples William Roebling discovered that the soil hadn't shifted in millions of years, and so he decided that it was stable enough itself to hold the bridge.To this day one tower of the Brooklyn Bridge rests on bedrock, while the other rests on sand.

Construction of the Brooklyn caisson hit bedrock after around 44 feet and was filled with concrete to create the base. The Manhattan caisson was much more dangerous. The plan was originally to lower it 106 feet to hit the bedrock, but as they got lower and lower, and the dangers became more apparent, Washington Roebling made probably the riskiest decision of the entire construction. By taking soil samples he discovered that the soil hadn't shifted in millions of years, and so he decided that it was stable enough itself to hold the bridge. To this day one tower of the Brooklyn Bridge rests on bedrock, while the other rests on sand.

21The Evolution of The Suspension Bridge

Iron chain22The Evolution of The Suspension BridgeIron wire rope

The Evolution of The Suspension BridgeSteel wire rope

25Towers and CaissonsWeight of Brooklyn tower: Approx. 370,181 tonsWeight of Manhattan tower: Approx. 409,390 tons Footing area: 15,351 square feet Brooklyn foundation: 24 tons per square footManhattan foundation: 27 tons per square footCaissons constructed of wood, then filled with concrete once sunk. The Manhattan caisson is not resting on bedrock, which was found to be deeper than expected. Just a little triviaUpon completion, was the worlds longest bridgeOriginally, it carried streetcars and elevated trainsFirst of the four major East River bridgesCarries six lanes of traffic, plus walkways for pedestrians and cyclistsApproximately 145,000 vehicles cross per day National Historic Landmark in 1964; National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1972Robert Emmet Oldum: first person to jump from the bridge; died of internal injuries sustained from fall

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28May 2008: The 125th Anniversary29