Plate, wrought-iron beam with two bars by William Fairbairn Figure showing a diagram of a wrought-iron beam composed of two bars riveted together. Subject: Engineering Published in Philosophical Transactions as 'An experimental inquiry into the strength of wrought-iron plates and their riveted joints as applied to ship-building and vessels exposed to severe strains'. Written by Fairbairn in Manchester. Communicated by Rev Henry Moseley. Received by the Royal Society on 25 April 1850. Read 13 June 1850. 10 April 1850