Marc GUYON - Les Fondations des ponts en France. Sabots métalliques des pieux de fondation, de l'Antiquité à l'époque moderne,(préf. de J. Mesqui), 2000, 253 p., 558 ill., tabl. et cartes (ISBN: 2-907303-30-9)

In the traditional construction of a bridge, the installation of the wooden foundation supports is one of the most difficult and technical challenges facing the builders. In the case of sub-aquatic foundations, the engineers and the builders must solve additional difficulties. These include the stability of the bridge, taking into account the vibrations from passing vehicles, the force of the current, the possibility that material might be eroded from around the supports and the preservation of the wooden supports that are subjected to various degradations in a wet environment.