Arthur Vierendeel

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Arthur Vierendeel (April 10, 1852 – November 8, 1940) was a Belgian civil engineer born in Leuven, where he also studied and had a very long career as university professor.

He obtained an MSc in engineering in 1874 at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. His work, Cours de stabilité des constructions (1889) was an important reference during more than half a century. His first bridge was built in Avelgem in 1902, crossing the Scheldt river. The construction of this bridge became famous through the Stijn Streuvels book "De Teloorgang van de Waterhoek".

During WW1 and WWII many Vierendeel bridges were destroyed, some survived and others were rebuilt.

The Vierendeel principle, a construction similar to a truss but with rigid joints, was used in the New York World Trade Center.