Graphical statics, past and present of a singular methodology

[ES] El procedimiento de la Estática Gráfica, aplicado a problemas de arquitectura e ingeniería civil, tuvo una gran importancia, especialmente, a finales del siglo XIX y gran parte del siglo XX. Su conocimiento por parte de los técnicos implicaba, sin duda, que era uno de los métodos de cálculo que se estudiaban en las escuelas técnicas. Pasados cien años, su uso ha desaparecido o bien ha manifestado un claro retroceso en gran parte de las mismas. Pero conocer este método es de gran importancia, ya que no sólo implica rescatarlo del pasado y poder entender cálculos históricos, sino que permite dar herramientas a los estudiantes para resolver de una manera ágil y sencilla problemas presentes y futuros. Así, este artículo quiere presentar el procedimiento de la estática gráfica, estudiar su pasado, a la vez que, planteando el presente, preguntarse por su viabilidad en un futuro.
[EN] The method of Graphical Statics, as applied to problems in architecture and civil engineering, was of especially great importance from the late 19th century until well into the 20th century. Without any doubt, expertise by specialists implies Graphical Statics was one of the calculation procedures taught at technical colleges at the time. Over the past hundred years, it has either vanished or has its usage dwindled for the most part. However, being acquainted with this methodology is of great importance. It does not merely entail reclaiming it from the past and the ability to historical calculations; it also enables students with agile, simple means to solve present and future problems. With that in mind, this article seeks to provide an introduction to Graphical Statics, to study its past, while considering its present and enquiring about its future viability.