歷史由來
惠(hui)愛橋始建(jian)于(yu)明代正德年(nian)(nian)(nian)間(公(gong)元(yuan)1506年(nian)(nian)(nian)以后(hou)(hou)),嗣(si)后(hou)(hou)年(nian)(nian)(nian)久橋記(ji),經崇楨8年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1635年(nian)(nian)(nian))、清康熙18年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1679年(nian)(nian)(nian))、乾(qian)隆2年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1737年(nian)(nian)(nian))多次重(zhong)修(xiu),光緒13年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1887年(nian)(nian)(nian))毀于(yu)火(huo)。清宣統元(yuan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1909年(nian)(nian)(nian))廉州紳商募款重(zhong)修(xiu),宣統 3年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1911年(nian)(nian)(nian))落(luo)成(cheng)現橋。據說橋為當地泥水工匠出(chu)身的蔣邑雍設(she)計并承(cheng)包(bao)施工。
橋體結構
惠(hui)愛(ai)橋(qiao)(qiao)為(wei)東西走向,為(wei)三鉸(jiao)拱(gong)(gong)人字架結構(gou)(gou),拱(gong)(gong)腳支撐在兩岸石砌(qi)的(de)欖(lan)核形橋(qiao)(qiao)墩幄上,橋(qiao)(qiao)墩旁還(huan)設(she)有(you)磚砌(qi)弧(hu)拱(gong)(gong)式泄水孔,橋(qiao)(qiao)全部(bu)為(wei)木質結構(gou)(gou)。木料(liao)是來自(zi)印尼產的(de)坤甸木,質堅而耐(nai)腐(fu)。惠(hui)愛(ai)橋(qiao)(qiao)在建造(zao)之初,只有(you)跨中的(de)上下節點及拱(gong)(gong)腳節點設(she)角鋼夾板,其(qi)余部(bu)分均無(wu)任何鐵器,民國(guo)年(nian)間才(cai)在其(qi)他受力點加角鋼夾板。惠(hui)愛(ai)橋(qiao)(qiao)跨度為(wei)26米,凈跨度為(wei)18.4米,橋(qiao)(qiao)面(mian)寬2.75米,橋(qiao)(qiao)掩(yan)體高5.64米,橋(qiao)(qiao)頂覆蓋(gai)瓦面(mian),以防(fang)雨水從桿件(jian)的(de)上端滲入。整座(zuo)橋(qiao)(qiao)的(de)結構(gou)(gou)和設(she)計實(shi)在巧奪天工。