Concrete.TV presents a selection of some of mankind’s greatest engineering achievements in bridge construction.
The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge in Akashi Strait, Japan connects Japan’s mainland with the Awaji island.
It took 2 millions workers and 10 years of construction before what is with a length of 1,991 meters until today the longest suspension bridge in the world, was completed in 1998.
One million pounds of steel and 83,000 pounds of glass were assembled on site in order to complete the Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona, United States. It is strong enough to support the equivalent of 71 fully loaded 747 airplanes or 71 million pounds. The 1219 meters high structure was completed in 2007.
With a total height of 343 meters, the Millau Viaduct in Millau, France is the world’s tallest bridge. The construction costs until its completion in 2004 amounted to $412 million dollars. Good thing the viaduct’s lifespan is expected to be 120 years.
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, United States was considered by many experts as “the bridge that couldn’t be built”. Huge amounts of concrete, 128,747 kilometers of wire and 600,000 rivets proved them otherwise. The mammoth project was completed in 1937.
The concrete mix for the Confederation Bridge in Prince Edward Island, Canada had to be 60 % stronger than most due to wind, waves and snow. With a purpose-built floating crane to put 65 reinforced concrete piers in place, Canada’s smallest province was connected to the mainland in 1997.
CNN Travel
25 of mankind’s greatest engineering achievements
By Tamara Hinson, for CNN
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www.Concrete.TV – put together by our team Ruairi Abrahams, Anna Sacco and Adrienne Taylor. Material courtesy of CNN Travel
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[Mankind’s greatest engineering achievements: Bridges]
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