An attempt to reconstruct the Moselle bridge in Trier, built in A.D. 150

Abstract

A reconstruction for the third Moselle bridge in Trier, which was built in A.D. 150 under Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161), has recently been undertaken by K.-P. Goethert for which he would like to include, among other things, structural elements from the Danube bridge represented on Trajan’s Column in Rome. Since the entire technical structure of the timber supporting frame, including an elevated roadway, even constructed with imaginary units of foot measurement, appeared somewhat dubious; this gave rise to the present piece of work. During the initial structural evaluation of the timber supporting frame it became obvious that Goethert’s idealised design had weak points with which the safety of the bridge could not be guaranteed. For this attempt at reconstructing the bridge plan a classic double truss frame has been chosen, which is
demanded in any case by the preserved features on the longitudinal sides of the bridge piers. The girders of the six proven main beams should achieve an optimally, structurally sound bridge bearing on the block - work of the piers, as was previously suggested in a similar form by earlier attempts at reconstruction. Even the Rhine bridge at Mainz, as represented on a lead locket from around A.D. 300, exhibits a double truss frame. In determining the height of the roadway for the Trier bridge, the highest known Moselle flood of 1784 was taken into account. The enormous breadth of the bridge piers suggests that the surface area between the joist bearings was designed to support a paved roadway. As proposed here, each bridge segment would represent an independent supporting unit and could, therefore, accommodate many loaded vehicles crossing in line simultaneously in both directions.

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