A brief history of aqueducts and conduit resistance laws

Author: Michele Mossa
Title of the book: A brief history of aqueducts and conduit resistance laws (in Italian)
Publisher: Mario Adda Editore
ISBN: 9788867175291
Year of publication: 2020
Pages: 94
Format: 24x30, paperback with flaps
Figures: 84 figures in b/w and color

Presentation
A correct study of Hydraulics, with the theoretical laws currently known, cannot ignore the knowledge of the researchers and projects that have transformed engineering from an art, often having empiricism as its only doctrine, to a science in the course of centuries. Only by knowing the past will we be able to better appreciate the contributions of those whose design formulas we use today.
The history presented in the book, which is necessarily short compared to the immensity of the history of Fluid Mechanics, in general, and of aqueducts, in particular, has six paragraphs. The first is dedicated to ancient investigations and applications on water currents. A paragraph is dedicated to a brief history of the Roman aqueducts, which receive a lto of admiration still today. With the decline of the Roman Empire, the administration necessary for the development and maintenance of these water systems was lost. Only centuries later the topic of flows in aqueducts was resumed and applied again. Three paragraphs are dedicated to this period, relating, respectively, to the history of currents from the Middle Ages to the 17th century, from the 18th to the 19th century and to the most recent developments and studies, some of which are still in progress in important universities known internationally. The various references shown in the bibliography will allow the readers to deepen some issues of the book.
Finally, linking up with the history presented previously, the last paragraph explores the particular case of the Apulian aqueduct, considered an impressive work today and even more when it was built, subject of analysis and international comparisons for the size and boldness of the engineering solutions adopted. A large number of figures of great interest are present in the book.