One cultural relic from my home country

TsinghuaX00690242_2x Historical Relic Treasures and Cultural

China: Part 2

The Sydney Harbour BridgeAs a young nation I am offering the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a ‘cultural relic’ of Australia. Built in 1932 the bridge enjoys iconic status in my home country.

Dimensions

Total length: 1,149 m (3,770 ft)Width: 49 m (161 ft)Height: 134 m (440 ft)Longest span: 503 m (1,650 ft)Clearance below: 49 m (161 ft) at mid-spanConstruction begin: 28 July 1923Construction end: 19 January 1932Opened: 19 March 1932

ArchThe arch is composed of two 28-panel arch trusses.The total weight of the steelwork of the bridge, including the arch and approach spans, is 52,800 tonnes.The bridge is held together by six million hand-driven rivets

Pylons

A pair of pylons stands at the northern and southern ends of the bridge. They are constructed from concrete and faced with granite and are 89 m (292 ft) high.

MaintenanceThe bridge requires constant inspections and maintenance to keep it safe for public use.Painting is the major maintenance work.The steelwork of the bridge that needs to be painted is a combined 485,000 m2 (120 acres), the equivalent of sixty football fields.Each coat on the bridge requires some 30,000 l (6,600 imp gal) of paint.A special fast-drying paint is used, so that any paint drops have dried before reaching the vehicles or bridge surface

Uses

The bridge carries 8 lanes of traffic.North/South railway lines.Pedestrian walkway on the East side.Cycleway on the west side.

Interactivity

The bridge is a cultural relic as it is used in many ways to symbolise Australia.As a relic there is ongoing interactivity.A bridge climb is a must do activity for many visitors to Sydney

Cultural Icon

Apart from its day to day use of conveying traffic, the bridge is the centrepiece of many cultural activities. A prime example of this is the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Cultural Icon

In conclusion, the Sydney Harbour Bridge dominates Sydney Harbour. It is a symbol of our nation and occupies the hearts and minds of all Australians.

Image Credits1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#mediaviewer/File:Sydney_Harbour_Bridge_night.jpg2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#mediaviewer/File:Early_construction,

_Sydney_Harbour_Bridge.jpg3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#mediaviewer/File:

HMAS_Canberra_sailing_into_Sydney_Harbour_in_1930.jpg4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#mediaviewer/File:Sydney_Harbour_Bridge_SE_Pylon,

_jjron,_02.12.2010.jpg5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sydney_Harbour_Bridge_DSC01595.JPG6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#mediaviewer/File:To_Stop_the_Jumpers_(6619485209).jpg7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#mediaviewer/File:

BridgeClimb_participants_on_Sydney_Harbour_Bridge.jpg8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#mediaviewer/File:Sydney_new_years_2008-9.JPG9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#mediaviewer/File:Sydney_Harbour_Bridge_from_the_air.

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