Leonardo da Vinci's 1502 Istanbul bridge design, built without mortar, was tested by MIT researchers using a 1/500 scale model that survived simulated earthquakes.
Leonardo da Vinci's Bridge Design Proposed in 1502
In 1502, Leonardo da Vinci proposed a bridge design for Istanbul that would have spanned the Golden Horn, connecting the city to Galata. The structure was meant to be 280 meters long, using only the compressive force of stones without any mortar or metal fasteners.Ottoman Sultan Seeks Bridge Solutions
Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II wanted to connect Istanbul to Galata and invited experts to submit proposals. Da Vinci’s design was one of the many ideas considered, though it was never built and remained just a drawing for over 500 years.MIT Recreates Da Vinci's Bridge Model
In 2019, researchers from MIT recreated a scaled-down version of Leonardo’s bridge using 126 3D-printed blocks. The model, about 81 centimeters long, was constructed without glue or metal fasteners and used the same principles as ancient Roman bridges, relying on compression to hold the structure together.Model Survives Earthquake Simulations
The MIT team tested the model by simulating ground weakening caused by earthquakes. The structure withstood the stress test, showing that da Vinci’s design could have been viable. The results were presented at a conference in Barcelona, though they had not yet been peer-reviewed.
