Eugène Freyssinet

Biography: Freyssinet born in Objat, Corrèze, France Worked at École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris Designed several bridges until WWI Served in French Army as road engineer Noted for innovative bridge designs and use of reinforced concrete Major Contributions: Introduced concept of prestressed concrete Designed significant bridges like Pont le Veurdre and Pont De La Liberation Developed forced steam curing for concrete Increased record for concrete arch span at St Pierre du Vauvray Worked on Plougastel Bridge with detailed study on creep and prestressing Innovations and Failures: Developed new techniques for thinshell structures Designed airship hangars and aircraft hangars Built cargo ships using reinforced concrete Failed business venture in building prestressed concrete electricity pylons Consolidated maritime station of Le Havre using prestressing Notable Projects: Designed first prestressed concrete bridge in Germany in 1938 Built series of bridges with large spans on the Marne Designed overpasses on highway in Caracas, Venezuela Worked on basilique SaintPie X in Lourdes Contributed to construction of Gladesville Bridge in Australia References: Billington’s “The Tower and the Bridge” Espion, Halleux, Schiffmann’s paper on Paduart’s contributions Bennett’s “The Creation of Bridges” Troyano’s “Bridge Engineering A Global Perspective” Base Mérimée for Eglise SaintJacques le Majeur