Trasformazioni e codici grafici nella rappresentazione dei ponti

Transformations and graphic codes in the representation of bridges This contribution aims to parse through some indicative examples from the repertoire of representations produced over the centuries, as the construction techniques used in building bridges to follow the technological evolution based on the use of different materials, wood, stone, brick, iron and cement, gradually acquired and disclosed by treatises and manuals. In particular, the investigation will focus on those authors who have paid attention to the issue of infrastructure and its specific technical complexities, due to the necessity of overcoming obstacles using artificial structures able to reconnect interruptions caused by water courses, slopes from or other natural barriers, have resulted in bold examples of engineering and architecture. Among these we can not neglect the teaching of Andrea Palladio who, in the third book of his treatise, provides a detailed overview of examples raised by the Roman building tradition, re-designed and analyzed, to arrive at the design of new compositional models possible with self supporting systems without intermediate poles, from which its proposals for monumental bridge designed for Venice. Similar research on methods of construction of bridges, one after another, using formulas representing more and more technical, in the works of later times as in the Belidor’s Architecture Hydraulique; in Rondelet’s Traite Theorique et pratique de l'art de Batir, in Valadier’s Architettura pratica offering case studies useful for the analysis and discussion on issues of traditional performance compared with exploratory possibilities of digital models. The theme of transformation, suggested by the conference, then makes an interesting graphic parallel that we want to lead among different representative formulas, motivating the analytical review of some projects through reconstructed three-dimensional models.