"The engineers science ..." in the first half of XVIII century

Abstract

In Paris was published, in 1729, sign ed by some different authors, a book known as the first great modern engineering treatise. "La Science des Ingénieurs...", signed by Bernard Forest de Belidor, a french man of catalan origin, mathematics teacher in La Fére Artillery School, member as well of the Scientific Societies of London and Prussia and a correspondent of the Paris Royal Academy of Sciences. In this book we will appreciate a firm direction change in two fundamental aspects of the technical culture of actual engineers: the way to dimension structures, starting from the numerical procedures and the organization of the processes in construction works In the following pages I want to introduce you into the contents of this treatise in its original version and in its castiílan particular translation. But, before this, I have also to explain the teatrise role in the disociation of two professions that, till this time. have share attitudes and competitivines: architecture and engineering, such as they were understood in the Renaissance distant years where the durability, stability and solidity of a building, watever it was, was preceded by a perfect execution, by the use of appropriated materials, and where the different parts were measured following a general plan of whole proportions and the search of balance elements. We will see how -based on the science of these XVIII century engineers- all those principies have to be explained through the nature of the algebraical reasons, the mechanical knowledge and the abstract understanding of the structural elements. It is worthwhile to point out that this work is a part of a much more important investigation concerning the transformations of the technical knowledge concerning engineering and architecture between XVI and XVIII centuries, as well in Europe as in America, insisting on the role played by the academies and schools, in one or the other ocean side.