Starling (structure): Difference between revisions
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In [[architecture]], a '''starling''' (or '''sterling''') or, more commonly, '''cutwater''' is a defensive bulwark, usually built with pilings or [[brick]]s, surrounding the supports (or [[Pier (architecture)|pier]]s) of a [[bridge]] or similar construction. Starlings may be shaped to ease the flow of the water around the bridge, reducing the damage caused by [[erosion]] or collisions with flood-borne debris, and may also form an important part of the structure of the bridge, spreading the weight of the piers. The term cutwater especially applies for bulwarks that are relatively effective in that way. A '''starkwater''' is a bulwark specifically against ice damage. |
In [[architecture]], a '''starling''' (or '''sterling''') or, more commonly, '''cutwater''' is a defensive bulwark, usually built with pilings or [[brick]]s, surrounding the supports (or [[Pier (architecture)|pier]]s) of a [[bridge]] or similar construction. Starlings may be shaped to ease the flow of the water around the bridge, reducing the damage caused by [[erosion]] or collisions with flood-borne debris, and may also form an important part of the structure of the bridge, spreading the weight of the piers. The term cutwater especially applies for bulwarks that are relatively effective in that way. A '''starkwater''' is a bulwark specifically against ice damage. |
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Depending on their shape and location, some starlings may accumulate river debris, mud and other objects, potentially creating navigational hazards or hindering downstream water flow. |
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==Shape== |
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[[File:IMG 3978 bridge piers.jpg|thumb|Asymmetric bridge piers on the [[Canalside Rail Trail Bridge]], [[Deerfield, Massachusetts]], with the upstream face both angled and reinforced against heavy water, high water, and ice floes]] |
[[File:IMG 3978 bridge piers.jpg|thumb|Asymmetric bridge piers on the [[Canalside Rail Trail Bridge]], [[Deerfield, Massachusetts]], with the upstream face both angled and reinforced against heavy water, high water, and ice floes]] |
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[[File:Flood debris on Bywell Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1114579.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Seasonal flood debris, high above a starling]] |
[[File:Flood debris on Bywell Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1114579.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Seasonal flood debris, high above a starling]] |
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One problem caused by starlings is the accumulation of river debris, mud and other objects against the starlings, potentially hindering the flow. |
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[[File:Tczew most wiezyczki 2.jpg|thumb|[[Tczew]], Poland, an isolated starkwater against ice, ahead of a bridge pier which is itself asymmetric]] |
[[File:Tczew most wiezyczki 2.jpg|thumb|[[Tczew]], Poland, an isolated starkwater against ice, ahead of a bridge pier which is itself asymmetric]] |
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The starling has a sharpened or curved extreme sometimes called the nose. The cutwater may be of concrete or masonry, but is often capped with a steel angle to resist abrasion and focus force at a single point to fracture floating pieces of ice striking the pier. In cold climates the starling is typically sloped at an angle of about 45° so current pushing against part-submerged ice flow tends to lift the solid ice translating horizontal force of the current to a vertical force shearing the ice allowing the icy flows to pass on either side.<ref>{{cite book |
The starling has a sharpened or curved extreme sometimes called the nose. The cutwater may be of concrete or masonry, but is often capped with a steel angle to resist abrasion and focus force at a single point to fracture floating pieces of ice striking the pier. In cold climates the starling is typically sloped at an angle of about 45° so current pushing against part-submerged ice flow tends to lift the solid ice translating horizontal force of the current to a vertical force shearing the ice allowing the icy flows to pass on either side.<ref>{{cite book |
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Revision as of 15:58, 17 April 2022
 | This article's factual accuracy is disputed. (April 2019) |
In architecture, a starling (or sterling) or, more commonly, cutwater is a defensive bulwark, usually built with pilings or bricks, surrounding the supports (or piers) of a bridge or similar construction. Starlings may be shaped to ease the flow of the water around the bridge, reducing the damage caused by erosion or collisions with flood-borne debris, and may also form an important part of the structure of the bridge, spreading the weight of the piers. The term cutwater especially applies for bulwarks that are relatively effective in that way. A starkwater is a bulwark specifically against ice damage.
Depending on their shape and location, some starlings may accumulate river debris, mud and other objects, potentially creating navigational hazards or hindering downstream water flow.
Shape
Starlings may form part of a buttress for the vertical load of the bridge piers, and for that purpose would typically be symmetrical. Examples such as at the Old Wye Bridge, Chepstow are on lower stretches of rivers which are tidal and that require a starling in both directions. Other starlings may be asymmetrical, so that the upstream aspect of a pier is larger as it a face sloping outwards, whilst downstream is vertical.
The starling has a sharpened or curved extreme sometimes called the nose. The cutwater may be of concrete or masonry, but is often capped with a steel angle to resist abrasion and focus force at a single point to fracture floating pieces of ice striking the pier. In cold climates the starling is typically sloped at an angle of about 45° so current pushing against part-submerged ice flow tends to lift the solid ice translating horizontal force of the current to a vertical force shearing the ice allowing the icy flows to pass on either side.[1] A sloped, ice-cutting starling is known as a starkwater.[2]
See also
References
