Essentials Of Bridge Engineering discusses the various engineering aspects of bridge construction. Summary Of The Book A bridge is any structure that is used to cross over some physical obstacle like a river or a chasm, or a valley. It is an important part of a region’s infrastructure. Bridges can also be built over other facilities like railway tracks and roads, to ease the burden of traffic. The construction of bridges is a highly specialized field in engineering. Bridges are not a new concept, they have existed even in ancient times. But the sheer variety, design, and construction methods of bridges have seen an exponential growth in the last century. Bridges may vary widely by the method of construction, structural design, the purpose for which they are built and so on. The location of the bridge and the purpose it serves could also influence the design methods and construction materials used. Essentials Of Bridge Engineering goes into all aspects of bridge engineering. It starts with an introduction to bridge engineering, and an overview of the forms, components, and classifications of bridges. The author then discusses the factors to be considered in investigation for bridges. He then discusses the specifications for road bridges and railway bridges, and general design considerations. Next, he covers the construction of culverts, which are small structures that span drainage works. Then the book moves on to cover the construction of concrete bridges, concrete and prestressed concrete structures. The next chapters discusses steel bridges, masonry and composite bridges, temporary and movable bridges, and substructures. The text then covers aspects of bridge construction like foundations, bearings, joints and appurtenances, and the construction and maintenance of bridges. The book also discusses the lessons to be learnt from bridge failures, and the recent trends in bridge engineering. Essentials Of Bridge Engineering ties the material to the Indian context, discussing codes and practices of bridge construction in India. It includes computational examples illustrating the application of code provisions. The author has also drawn on his own experiences to elucidate various concepts. The book can serve as course material for a two semester course in bridge engineering in diploma or undergraduate courses. It can also be helpful as a reference material for professionals just starting out on their careers. About D. Johnson Victor Dr. David Johnson Victor is a former Professor of Civil Engineering. He has written another book, Urban Transportation: Planning, Operation, and Management. Dr. Victor’s books cover the engineering principles of civil constructions. Dr. David Johnson Victor graduated with a B.E. in Civil Engineering from the University of Madras in 1953, and earned a masters degree in structural engineering from IIT, Kharagpur in 1958. He received his doctorate from the University of Texas, Austin, USA. He is a former Professor of Civil Engineering at IIT- Madras.