On the International Propagation of the Melan Arch System since 1892

The Melan arch system began in 1892 as a system for building vaulted floors, but it soon became common for building concrete arch bridges. The particular feature of this system is the combination of steel arch ribs, so-called rigid reinforcement, and concrete vaults. The transfer of knowledge and means took place from the very first moment of its invention. The Melan system was exported from Europe to the United States, was very successfully copied by the Spanish engineer Ribera around 1900 and was also taken to Japan by Japanese engineers who were sent to Europe in the last decade of the nineteenth century. This paper traces the different connections and identifies three main phases of this successful invention. Today, the Melan system is state of the art or common knowledge for bridge-builders all over the world, who appreciate the technological advantage of simple and rapid erection.