The Garabit Viaduct Size report
The Garabit Viaduct (French: Viaduc de Garabit) is a railway arch bridge across the Truyère River in the mountainous Massif Central region, France. The bridge was constructed between 1880 and 1884 and opened in 1885.
Gustave Eiffel designed the Garabit Viaduct, and Maurice Koechlin was responsible for structural engineering. They created an elegant and bold metal structure spanning the canyon of Truyères. At the time, the bridge was not only the most beautiful building in the world but also a perfect demonstration of technical and architectural prowess.
The Galabit Viaduct features a massive truss arch that narrows and deepens as it rises, giving the structure a larger size than other arch bridges of the time. The lightweight and stable open triangular truss design would allow the wind to blow through to ensure safety and stability. Let's learn more about the actual size of the Garabit Viaduct.
Descirption of The Garabit Viaduct
The Garabit Viaduct is located in Southern France and crosses over the River Truyère. The bridge was constructed by Gustave Eiffel, who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris; he is also known for his talents in building bridges. The task of constructing a railway bridge over the canyon was a big challenge. There was a great span, and the bridge had to be high enough for the railway would run at the same level. It was also necessary to take into consideration wind and temperature range.
Construction of the bridge started in 1882 and opened in 1885. When the Garabit Viaduct was completed, it was the world's tallest and largest bridge. The first train that passed the bridge had 22 wagons and weighed about 400 tons. When the train ran over the Garabit Viaduct, the arch deflected at 8 millimeters. It was exactly what the designer had calculated in advance. The bridge is in use today.
Length and Height of the Garabit Viaduct
The bridge is 565 meters (1,854 feet) long and 6 meters (20 feet) wide; its central arch spans 165 meters (541 feet). At 124 meters (407 feet) tall above the river, it was the tallest bridge in the world for many years. The raised water level due to the Grandval dam is today 95 meters (311 feet) below the bridge deck. The 448 meters (1,470 feet) long metal deck is flanked by two masonry viaducts of 46 meters (151 feet) and 71 meters (233 feet) in length and is supported by five wrought iron piers, the two tallest of which are 80 meters (262 feet) high.
| Quick Facts | Size |
|---|---|
| Total length | 565 m (1,854 ft) |
| Width | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Longest span | 165 m (541 ft) |
| Clearance below | 95 m (311 ft) |
Final Words
The Galabit Viaduct is one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe. The bridge remains strong and rigid, despite its lightness and length. It is now listed as a historical monument of the network of Remarkable Bridges of the South of France; the impressive 565-meter-long railway viaduct can be seen from a distance due to its red color and excellent lighting at night.
