As structural engineering students, we learn about mild steel, modern design and construction methods. However, historic structures often do not fit into this mould. Whether you work in conservation or are a general practitioner, you are likely to come across cast iron, wrought iron, as well as early mild steel structures. The historic ironwork could be as small as a strap, providing tension across a joint, or more dramatically, the whole structure. The first major all steel bridge - the Forth Bridge - was famously called "the supremest specimen of all ugliness" by William Morris (co-founder of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings). Yet it went on to become not only listed in the UK (on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest), but is currently being considered for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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