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The writings of Belgian engineer Arthur Vierendeel (1852-1940) : homo universalis or contemporary propagandist?

Book Contribution - Book Chapter Conference Contribution

During the last decade of the nineteenth century, Belgian engineer and professor Arthur Vierendeel - mostly known for the Vierendeel, a frame without diagonal rigidifying elements - published a series of books in which he expounded his views on the use of steel in architecture and engineering. Vierendeel described the structural possibilities of constructing in iron, and also theorized how this 'new' material should capture its own architectural style. Structural aesthetics is derived from rivets, proportions, tie rods, columns and covering strips whereas auxiliary aesthetics can be created through adding ceramics, other metals and decorative painting. Formal issues had to surpass structural considerations, or in Vierendeel's words: "Pour les constructions métalliques les dimensions doivent être déterminées à priori par des considérations esthétiques et qu'après seulement il y a lieu de recourir à la formule mathématique."
Book: Proceedings of the Third International Congress on Construction History
Pages: 1463-1470
Number of pages: 8
ISBN:978-3-936033-31-1
Publication year:2009
Keywords:history, iron, steel, Belgium, 19th century, 20th century, Vierendeel