2006-11-03 22:05:43 · 6 answers · asked by santiago 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
You say bridges over rivers, not canals, so unlikely that they were for horses pulling barges. As for being ties to stop the bridge walls from seperating, they normally used flat plates, rather than rings, as this gives a bigger surface area on the brickwork.
I can only think that they were actually for horses, the kind that were pulling carts etc over the bridge, to tie up to, and the horses could be watered and fed without galloping off to the local hostelry with their owners.
Just a guess really. Am sure the other answers are just as accurate. Good question though.
2006-11-03 22:20:20 · answer #1 · answered by superman in disguise 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are 'ties' that go thru the stonework from each side, that keep the two sides together & stopping the bridge walls parting.
Each ring is attached to a steel bar that goes right thru the bridge.
(that is only the rings are tight up to the stonework, If they are loose, they prob could be as described below)...
2006-11-04 06:09:21 · answer #2 · answered by junio130 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are they from the days when barges were pulled by Horses? A horse can't go under the bridge, so they used ropes and threaded them through the iron rings.
I am guessing....
2006-11-04 06:10:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To tie up barges and other floating crafts such as boats. Night without electricity is awfully dark so many vessels on smaller rivers would tie up from sunset to dawn.
2006-11-04 08:06:39 · answer #4 · answered by Carl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They had a number of uses.
To moor craft.
To anchor a block and tackle.
To hitch animals or carts.
and perhaps even to secure criminals!!
2006-11-04 06:17:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you tried United Kingdom at bottom of this page ??
2006-11-04 20:14:26 · answer #6 · answered by tronary 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋