DOCUMENTARY ANALYSIS #1

MILLAU VIADUCT
Angelo Gabriel A. De La Cena
TTH 9:00am - 11:30am

Question #1: What are the basic information about the Millau Viaduct ?

Official Name: Le Viaduc de Millau

Location: Millau, France
Designer: Sir Norman Foster, Architect
Material: Concrete, Steel
Total Length: 2,460m
Width: 32.0m
Height: 343m (Tallest Pylon)
Longest Span: 342m
No. of Spans: 6
Cost: € 394,000,000
Construction: October 16, 2001 - December 16, 2004

Question #2: What are the problems encountered when building the structure ?

Problem #1: The ground was full of cavities.

Solution: Deeper foundation and stronger and reinforced concrete.

Problem #2: Complicated Design.

Solution: The different shapes of molds were used when pouring the concrete for the piers.

Problem #3: All the piers should be at exactly the same point in the earth when finished.
Solution: Consistent surveying and GPS Tracking. Also using 4 satellites to pinpoint the
Location of the piers.

Problem #4: It was dangerous to build the freeway above the ground.
Solution: The fabricated all the sections at the factories and were later transported at the
site.

Problem #5: Putting the freeway at 245m above the ground.

Solution: They created a pioneer launching system that launches the freeway at exactly
the same time.
Problem #6: Strong winds.
Solution: The monitor the weather and the wind regularly and simulated the scenario in a
wind chamber.
Problem #7: The launching system failed.
Solution: The inventoried all of their equipment and created a solution by expanding the
platform and replacing the broken parts.

Problem #8: There were curved sections.

Solution: Extreme precautions and GPS monitoring were consistently done.

Problem #9: There were some irresponsible motorists or suicidal people.

Solution: The have motion sensors at the bridge wherein, motorists who stopped will be
detected.