Waddell "A" Truss Bridge

Waddell "A" Truss bridge erected at Trimble, MO
Design plan of the Waddell "A" Truss - reconstructed by HAER & Army Corps of Engineers (1980)
Design plan of the Waddell "A" Truss - reconstructed by HAER & United States Army Corps of Engineers (1980)

The Waddell "A" Truss Bridge is standardized truss bridge design that was first patented in 1893 by prolific civil engineer John Alexander Low Waddell. The design provided a simple low-cost, high-strength solution for use by railroads across the United States and Empire of Japan for short spans of around 100 ft (30.5 m). According to the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), "beyond its role in the growth of railroad transportation, the "A" truss is perhaps most historically significant when viewed within the context of Waddell's career and the emergence of the American bridge fabrication industry into international marketing."[1]: 2 

  1. ^ Jackson, Donald C. "Waddell 'A' Truss Bridge" (PDF). Historic American Engineering Record. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. p. 1. Retrieved February 2, 2021.