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The winner of the 1969 MacRobert Award: The Severn Bridge or Pont Hafren.
Severn Bridge (2019-05-29) by Ted Humble-SmithMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The Severn Bridge is the original Severn road crossing between England and Wales and took three-and-a-half years to build.
The deck of the Severn Bridge was designed to be aerodynamically favourable to wind forces hitting the bridge side on, splitting the airflow above and below the deck.
This replaced the traditional lattice work construction of bridges, which came under scrutiny after the Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge disintegrated.
Looking at other box structures which have aerodynamic capabilities reminded the artist of a box kite, which when flown with a tail would demonstrate both the problem and the solution that was used to design the deck.
The artist created a steel-framed box kite, similar in design to the cross-section of the bridge, and photographed it ‘flying’ with a steel tail flapping behind it in a similar form to the oscillation that destroyed Tacoma.
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The bridge was opened on 8 September 1966, by Queen Elizabeth II. For thirty years, the bridge carried the M4 motorway.
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The bridge was granted Grade I listed status on 26 November 1999.
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The Severn Bridge has revolutionised the design of long span suspension bridges. All long span suspension bridges across the world have been designed with the same form of deck as the Severn Bridge.
no sound severnMuseum of Engineering Innovation
Behind the scenes of the 'box kite' model, symbolising the Severn Bridge's aerodynamic deck
Severn Bridge (2019-05-29) by Ted Humble-SmithMuseum of Engineering Innovation
Freeman, Fox and Partners - Winners of the MacRobert Award
Artist Ted Humble-Smith was inspired by the Severn Bridge to mark the 50th Anniversary of the MacRobert Award
50 years of the MacRobert AwardMuseum of Engineering Innovation
MacRobert Award for Engineering Innovation: Fran Scott interviews Ted Humble-SmithMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The artist inspired by engineering
Ted Humble-Smith is a photographer and director who brings a sense of magic to the meticulous conceptual images he creates for the luxury fashion, beauty, jewellery, and business worlds.
Ted Humble-Smith uses his imagination and technical expertise to produce vibrant images that push the boundaries of commercial photography. He talked to engineers involved in MacRobert Award-winning projects to picture the concepts behind the innovations. His images capture the thought process behind the breakthroughs, rather than illustrating the innovations’ technical workings.
