Tavanasa Bridge

Vorderrheinbrücke, Tavanasa
West facing view of the bridge, towards Tavanasa
Coordinates46°45′13.7″N 9°03′33.5″E / 46.753806°N 9.059306°E / 46.753806; 9.059306
CrossesAnterior Rhine
LocaleTavanasa, Breil/Brigels, Switzerland
Characteristics
Designthree-hinged reinforced concrete arch bridge[1]
MaterialReinforced concrete
Total length85 metres (279 ft)
Width4.0 metres (13.1 ft)
Height11 metres (36 ft)
Longest span50.8 metres (167 ft)[2]
No. of spans1
History
DesignerRobert Maillart
Construction start1927[3]
Construction end1928[4]
Construction cost125,000 CHF[5]
Location
Map

Tavanasa Bridge, also known as Vorderrheinbrücke, Tavanasa is the name of the two reinforced concrete three hinged arch bridges designed by Swiss civil engineer Robert Maillart.[6] The first of these was constructed in 1904, but later destroyed by an avalanche.[7] The second, constructed in 1928 stands to this day.

History

The previous bridge of 1904, saw a development in Maillart's own treatment of the arch. This bridge was a three-hinged reinforced concrete hollow box girder arch bridge, and unlike Maillart's previous bridge at Zuoz, saw the removal of the horizontal members of the box girder near the supports, which had experienced cracking.[8] The replacement of the destroyed bridge however, became a high arch bridge through the insistence of the canton.[9] Maillart's later Salginatobel Bridge re-uses a similar form.

  • Construction drawing of the first Tavansa Bridge
    Construction drawing of the first Tavansa Bridge

References

  1. ^ Billington, David P. (1985). The tower and the bridge : the new art of structural engineering. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 069102393X.
  2. ^ Billington, David P. (1985). The tower and the bridge : the new art of structural engineering. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 069102393X.
  3. ^ "Tavanasa Bridge (Danis-Tavanas, 1928)". Structurae.
  4. ^ "Tavanasa Bridge (Danis-Tavanas, 1928)". Structurae.
  5. ^ "Tavanasa Bridge (Danis-Tavanas, 1928)". Structurae.
  6. ^ Billington, David P. (1985). The tower and the bridge : the new art of structural engineering. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 069102393X.
  7. ^ "Alte Rheinbrücke, Tavanasa". Surselva (in German). Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  8. ^ Billington, David P. (1985). The tower and the bridge : the new art of structural engineering. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 069102393X.
  9. ^ Billington, David P. (1985). The tower and the bridge : the new art of structural engineering. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 069102393X.