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[BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION DURING A WAR] Vosstanovleniye mostov [i.e. Bridge Reconstruction]

Gastev, V.

Item #900

Moscow, Leningrad: Gostransizdat, 1932. 272pp., 3 schemes: ill. 25.2x17.8cm. In original illustrated publisher’s cardboards. Loose, horizontal crease on the front cardboard, edges are slightly worn. In good condition.

Scarce. First edition. Written by the Soviet scientist in the field of building structures, Vladimir Gastev (1891-1974), this is one of the first Soviet books dedicated to the reconstruction of bridges as a crucial element of successful communication during the warfare.

The manual describes architectural peculiarities of the bridge reconstruction process and elaborates upon the different components of the renovation procedure. While the author primarily focuses on the short-term reconstruction of the war-damaged bridges, he also provides instructions on the substantial rehabilitation of tunnels and bridges. From cleaning up destroyed parts of the sites to the proper arrangement of the props, the book expands on such topics as: various means, types and elements of short-term reconstruction (crib piers, gabions, etc.), estimate time frames of work completion, sea crossing (ferry/ice crossing), span lifting, temporary pipes, demolition and reconstruction of tunnels, necessary equipment, methods of substantial rehabilitation of props and spans, etc. The last section of the book is dedicated to the preliminary and on-site organization of bridge reconstruction. Importantly, every chapter of the edition is accompanied by explanatory plans and multiple rare photographs depicting demolition of viaducts and bridges during the World War I and various stages of bridge/overpass rehabilitation process, as well as calculations and tables that define a number of materials and working force needed for the construction of crib piers, data on the various types of rails, pile hammers, and pile drivers, sizes of logs for triangular and trapezoid pipes, work graphics, etc.

The edition also includes 3 folded schemes of the old and new ferries to cross the Desna river.

Price: $350.00