The early concrete bridges of Scotland: a heritage at risk?

Abstract

ABSTRACT In Britain, the use of concrete as a construction material is relatively recent. The first recorded concrete bridge in Britain was built in 1867, but because it used lime concrete it did not survive and was replaced by a Portland-cement concrete bridge in 1873. It was not until 1880 that the first mass-concrete railway bridge in Scotland was constructed. By the end of the nineteenth century mass concrete for bridges was being replaced by reinforced concrete. This paper discusses the issues surrounding the early concrete bridges in Scotland that were constructed up to 1950. This was the period when concrete developed from an innovative but poorly understood material to what might be recognised as modern concrete with research-based design codes. Within Scotland approximately forty-eight percent of all concrete bridges built up to 1950 are listed buildings, with many more being of genuine historic interest and part of our heritage. These early bridges are now of an age where concrete deterioration is becoming more of a concern and unless appropriate, conservation-based action is taken, their survivability as part of the built heritage may be compromised.