Robert H. Bow
Robert Henry Bow FRSE (1827–1909) was a civil engineer and photographer.
Born in Alnwick on 27 January 1827.
Died in Edinburgh on 17 February 1909.
Letter from Robert H. Bow to The Engineer, 7 May 1880:-
THE DEPTH OF GIRDERS.
Sir, I notice that in the examination before the Board of
Trade inquiry into the Tay Bridge disaster Sir Thomas Bouch
appears to divide with the late Sir Robert Stephenson the credit
of the improvement in bridge construction effected by making
the depth of girder equal to one-eighth of the span. Now I
must protest against any of the credit being given to eitber of
these gentlemen otherwise than in so far that Sir Thomas Bouch
did adopt that proportion of depth, but at my suggestion, and
after I had demonstrated its advantages. .....
In a letter which I wrote to the editor of t e Civil Engineer
and Architects' Journal, dated 11th June, 1855, and published at
page 236 of vol. xviii., I pointed out that, for a just comparison,
such a depth of girder should be chosen lor each method of construction as was economically proper for it; and that for an
openwork girder a much greater proportional depth of structure
could be adopted with a corresponding saving in the quantity of
material required for the upper and lower members without
significant increase of that composing the web, or vertical open-work connection between these parts. The following is an extract
from the letter: - I am of opinion that the most economical ratio of the depth to the span in openwork bridges will be found
to be about one to eight."
In the history ot the science of bridge construction that letter
must, I submit, hold an amportant position, first, in having
settled the vexed question of the relative merits of plate and
openwork girders in favour of the latter for bridges of great
spans; and, secondly, in having advised the adoption of a much
greater depth of girder than was at that time usual.'
See here for more biographical information[1]
See Also
[2] Wikipedia