ABSTRACT
Beginning in the 1920s, reinforced concrete started to find its own design language for large bridges. This is seen in the building of long-span arch bridges, which reached its peak in the invention phase of reinforced concrete construction (1925–1950) and is characterized by the following:
resolving the rectangular cross-section common in conventional masonry and concrete bridges;
using better cements and separating creep and shrinkage;
refining structural analysis through equilibrium based on the deformed system.
These features are demonstrated in examples of how journals contributed to knowledge transfer. This work is based on a thematic study of the main essays and short articles on theory, materials and projects in two journals that had a big impact in German-speaking countries: Der Bauingenieur and Beton und Eisen. The international significance of these specific themes was assessed by reviewing publications by the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE).
