Saint-André-de-Cubzac and Angers bridges – France

Abstract

The development of the technique of prefabricated voussoir bridges during the past years has been made possible by the progress achieved in various fields which are developed here, namely: 1) the improvement of the joint between arch stones by the adoption of multiplenotch joints where the adhesive plays a less important part, 2) the increase ín the cross dimensions of the voussoirs as well as in their unit weight, which reduces the number of joints, as well as the diversification of the forms, which can lead to the elimination of the cross prestress, 3) the improvement of the methods of placing and of the design of the lifting rigs: mobile lifting equipement carried by the deck, launching girder. The study of these different factors is supplemented and illustrated by the presentation of two recent works: the freeway bridges of Saint-André-de-Cubzac and the bridge on the Loire near Angers.