Cover Picture: Structural Concrete 4/2013

Abstract

AbstractThe new Europe Bridge (inaugurated in June 2013) is 1791 m long, with 1391 m of that over the river, making it the longest bridge over the Danube. Seven 80 m long and one 52 m long concrete box girder spans make up the crossing to the Bulgarian abutment near Vidin, where the highway runs onto a long embankment. There are also five spans over the navigable part of the river: 124 m + 180 m + 180 m + 180 m + 115 m. The bridge foundations – 2000 mm diameter bored cast in situ concrete piles – extend 80 m into the subsoil.FCC erected the main bridge using glued segmental match‐cast deck girder sections, then cast more than 450 deck units – each weighing up to 250 t – near Vidin. These precast concrete segments were lifted using special equipment manufactured specifically for this project (photo: FCC)