History
From the Archives: March 20, 1924
Image from ENR archives.
This 1924 cover shows a reinforced concrete bridge over the Seine River under construction in Saint-Pierre-du-Vauvray, France.
It was designed by Eugene Freysinnet, the inventor of pre-stressed concrete. At the time it was the longest concrete arch bridge in the world, at 432 ft.
The arch was composed of two hollow ribs to which concrete-encased steel bands, supporting the deck system, were hung. During construction the arch centering was supported by two groups of dolphins in the river and two other groups near each river bank.
The truss members supporting each arch were assembled and put in place by means of a cableway installed across the river stretched between two guyed towers.
The bridge was destroyed during World War II, and was replaced by a replica bridge in 1948.
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