Data collected from these devices will help engineers pinpoint potential trouble spots and unwanted wear and tear that could shorten the life span of the many bridge components. The tall, slender piers have an unusual elegance from a narrow opening that gradually splits the column into two before closing up again within the mast above the road deck.
The roadway has a slight curve that adds a third dimension of shape to the structure and offsets the boredom of repetition. The designers even made the best of an unfortunate requirement to install a tall wind barrier along the edges of the roadway with a stylish aerodynamic shape that still allows for a fantastic view of the valley beyond.
As a nearly perfect blend of art, architecture and engineering, the Millau Viaduct will continue to inspire not only the public but future engineers who are continually challenged by the demand to create beauty and grace within the confines of functionality and cost. Image by Chris Lilley. Prior to Millau's record breaking bridge piers of meters, the history of these towering structures has been almost entirely in Europe outside of two U.
Before Kocher the tallest were the meter pier of Italy's Rago Viaduct. Before that California's Pit River Bridge had the tallest at meters. Before California's Pit River crossing, the tallest purely concrete and stone pier was on France's Fades Viaduct at Prior to Fades and Sitter the tallest bridge pier was the all steel Each strand is made of seven steel cables that are triple protected against corrosion.
Metal deck is covered with modified bitumen, which is flexible but strong so it can adapt to deformations which appear under traffic and, at the same time, is strong enough so it can resist road conditions. Ideal formula was discovered after two years of experimenting. Electrical installations of the viaduct consist of: 30km of cables for high current; 20km of fiber-optics; 10 km of cable for low current and telephone sockets so workers can communicate with each other or with command post.
Many instruments are installed on masts, deck, pylons and stays that monitor states and detect changes and resistance of the viaduct to wear and tear.
All information gathered from instruments is analyzed and sent to toll plaza. Toll plaza is placed 4 km north of viaduct. Before this point in time, eager holidaymakers from Paris to Spain had to descend into the valley to get there. This plagued the infrastructure of the valley, namely the R oute Nationale N9 that passes near the town of Millau.
It often caused heavy congestion and much disruption for locals. Something needed to be done and so an announcement was made in to build the viaduct to relieve pressure on local roads. Virlogeux just so happened to be a bridge specialist who, up to this point, had designed no less than bridges.
These included the Pont de Normandie in northern France. Foster, on the other hand, a prolific British architect, was considered one of the most accomplished architects of his generation. In he was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize , often referred to as the Nobel Prize of architecture. The combination of a visionary architect and a highly accomplished structural engineer was considered the perfect mix to achieve the ambitious project.
The viaduct's actual construction was entrusted to the construction company Eiffage. As we have already alluded to, the viaduct's main claim to fame is its impressive height. It stands at meters and is most famous for being the tallest bridge in the world.
This makes her head and shoulders above her closest competition , the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge in Istanbul Turkey meters and the Russky Bridge in Russia meters. She is a cable-stayed, concrete and steel construction viaduct motorway bridge that spans the Tarn gorge valley near the town of Millau in Southern France.
The toll plaza includes a CCTV connection to the viaduct and the highway. It also accommodates technical and administrative services. Verdict Traffic is using cookies We use them to give you the best experience.
Continue Learn More X. Advertise with us. Structural type Cable-stayed bridge multicable, fan arrangement. Function Highway bridge to carry the A Location Near Millau, Aveyron, France.
Timescale Works started in October and was completed in December Number of workers on site Number of hours of work expected 1 million. Owners Compagnie du viaduct de Millau. Architect Lord Norman Robert Foster.
Geotechnical engineering Terrasol.
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