As already clear from the title of the article, a viaduct is a bridge structure. Such a project differs from bridges of other types and structures with high supports and a large length. Most often, engineers propose to erect such structures at the intersection of roads with marshy places, river valleys, gorges and ravines. In the event that in a certain zone it is not advisable to build a high embankment, the construction of a viaduct is quite acceptable, which, solving the problems with movement in this territory, is also an economically viable option.
Viaduct: Distinctive Features
Literally, a viaduct is translated from Latin as “path” (via) and “lead” (duco). In other words, this is a special bridge leading through something (providing movement through something) and having very high supports. However, if the bridge is an artificial structure that is thrown over a lake, river or other water obstacle, then a viaduct is a structure that is drawn through a gorge, abyss or ravine. By the way, this creation also differs from the overpass, which is a crossing over the motorway, railways, etc. From the viaduct, which has the same spans, the viaduct is distinguished by their difference. The largest span most often falls on the highest part of the entire bridge. In addition, the overpass is mainly built on a flat surface. A viaduct is a completely and justifiable construction measure when the soil, due to its weakness, does not allow the use of another structure as a bridge. If necessary, its design allows you to gradually increase the height of the spans. It can be built of stone, concrete, reinforced concrete, metal. As a rule, a viaduct is predominantly multi-span and arched, rather than a beam structure. The history of the first such design is rooted in the time of the prosperity of the Ancient Roman Empire.
The most famous in the world
These viaducts are the most famous in the world:
- Kaluga stone bridge.
- Mokrinsky railway, located in the Chuvash Republic.
- Gelchtalbrücke is the highest brick building of this type in the world.
- Scottish viaduct located near the village of Glenfinnan.
- Viaduct across the Syduhe River (the clearance of this highest transport bridge in the world is at least 0.472 km).
- Millau Viaduct (its highest support is 0.341 km).
More on the latter
Millau Viaduct is the construction of a cable-stayed bridge system that runs through the Tarn Valley near the city of Millau, in southern France, in the Aveyron department. It is the last part of the A75 highway, which provides high-speed traffic from the capital (Paris) to the city of Beziers. The authors of the project are two prominent scientists in the field of engineering and architecture: Michelle Virlocho and Norman Foster. The grandiose construction they built crosses the lowest point of the Tarn Valley, connects the red plateau with the Larzac plateau and passes the perimeter of the Great Plateau (National Natural Park) along its inner side.
More about options
Millau Bridge is a steel roadbed, consisting of 8 spans. Its support is provided by the same number of steel columns. The weight of this roadway is 36, 000 tons. Its width is 32 m and its depth is 4.2 m. The total length of Millau Viaduct is 2460 m. Each of the central spans (6 pieces) is 342 m long, and the remaining two extremes are 204 m long. This viaduct, photo of which bewitch, as already mentioned, one of the most famous in the world. Movement along it began in December 2004. It seems that it is no longer necessary to explain how the viaduct differs from the bridge in this particular case.
Today’s viaduct
In the distant past, the bridge, which had the design of a modern viaduct, was built exclusively of massive stones that went through a long manual scraping. A large amount of physical labor and time was spent on the creation of such projects. Such structures looked bulky and heavy, they looked quite reliable. Due to the fact that the architectural idea of such a bridge turned out to be quite in demand by mankind, in the process of development of civilization, and, accordingly, the technology of manufacturing building materials and construction itself, the ideas of erecting such structures also developed. The use of metal, reinforced concrete and concrete in the construction of such bridges allows them to be made (while preserving the arch structure and developing beam) less material-intensive. Thanks to farm systems, today's viaducts conquer the imagination with nude structures that are distinguished by visual weightlessness and openwork, and at the same time withstand incredible loads.
