[retiredfire]

Taken

Taken Saturday October 4

 

[archited]

I'll bet that demo is going to move slower than anticipated

 

[ADob]

Ok, so how is it that Europe has managed to keep and maintain many Roman era buildings and viaducts and we can't save a bridge that's not even a century old? I'm seriously stumped but open to clear ELI-5 explanations from the more engineeringly-inclined.

 

[Friendmonton]

Long story short, they used ‘magical’ self healing concrete that has only recently been figured out. Look it up, it’s very interesting!

 

[ADob]

Oh, I do actually know about Roman concrete. It is fascinating. But not everything that is still managing to stand in Europe is Roman. Can you imagine how many gothic cathedrals we'd have converted to parking lots in Edmonton if we'd had any to begin with?

 

[constance_chlore]

Ok, so how is it that Europe has managed to keep and maintain many Roman era buildings and viaducts and we can't save a bridge that's not even a century old? I'm seriously stumped but open to clear ELI-5 explanations from the more engineeringly-inclined.

I'm sure we could, if we were willing to spend the money. I think the (correct, but unfortunate) perception is that most people here don't see things like this as part of "history," or as worth preserving if they have to shell out a few dollars for it.

 

[archited]

I'm seriously stumped but open to clear ELI-5 explanations from the more engineeringly-inclined.

It is why I made an earlier comment about a difficult demolition. There is NO reason why the bridge had to be destroyed from an engineering perspective -- and certainly not from an aesthetic one. It would certainly have been a much less expensive repair (even if it had to be twinned with an alternate design for pedestrian and wheelie use). Another cruel and non-imaginative example of short-mindedness in the order of Edmonton's attitude to history and the sweeping away of substantial structures. I can categorically say that bridges from that era (including the High Level Bridge) were substantially over designed from a structural perspective.

 

[Avenuer]

Ok, so how is it that Europe has managed to keep and maintain many Roman era buildings and viaducts and we can't save a bridge that's not even a century old? I'm seriously stumped but open to clear ELI-5 explanations from the more engineeringly-inclined.

Nearly of all Europe has a MUCH milder climate than here and, of course, concrete does not appreciate freeze-thaw weather, which we get about a third to a half of the year, here. Build anything well in a mild climate and it'll last for centuries with proper maintenance.

 

[archited]

I lived for 4 1/2 years in Europe and I can say from personal experience that freeze/thaw (and especially with higher levels of humidity) is no better through most of Europe than the experience in Alberta. It is true however that they are much more respectful of their architectural/cultural history.