Malao Viaduct: The Tallest Bridge in the World
The Malao Viaduct, located in France, is the tallest bridge in the world, standing at 340m above the Tan Valley and stretching for 2.4km. The bridge was considered impossible to build due to its location in a steep and wide valley prone to landslides.
Design and Construction
The bridge was designed by Lord Norman Foster and engineer Michel Vero, who proposed a cable-stayed bridge that would add to the landscape rather than take away from it. The bridge’s deck was made from hollow steel and pre-fabricated in sections, which were then slid across the completed towers using enormous hydraulics.
Challenges and Innovations
The construction of the bridge faced several challenges, including strong winds and the need to balance the bridge’s visual impact with its structural efficiency. The team used GPS for positioning and project engineers sunk the peers deep into the valley bedrock and covered them with reinforced concrete. The bridge’s color was also a crucial decision, with Lord Foster ultimately choosing gray to blend in with the sky.
Impact and Legacy
The Malao Viaduct has become an instant icon and tourist attraction, saving around 40,000 tons of CO2 emissions from heavy goods vehicles and paying for itself within three years. The bridge has also elevated the surrounding landscape to new heights, demonstrating the importance of good design and collaboration between architects and engineers.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Viaduct | A bridge-like structure that spans a valley or low area | The Malao Viaduct is an example of a viaduct, standing at 340m above the Tan Valley. |
| Cable-stayed | A type of bridge that uses cables directly attached to the towers to support the deck | The Malao Viaduct is a cable-stayed bridge, designed to add to the landscape rather than take away from it. |
| Pre-fabricated | Constructed in a factory before being transported to the site for assembly | The bridge’s deck was made from hollow steel and pre-fabricated in sections, which were then slid across the completed towers. |
| Hydraulics | The use of fluid pressure to generate force or motion | Enormous hydraulics were used to slide the pre-fabricated sections of the bridge’s deck across the completed towers. |
| GPS | Global Positioning System, used for navigation and positioning | The team used GPS for positioning during the construction of the Malao Viaduct. |
| Bedrock | The solid, unbroken rock that underlies the earth’s surface | The project engineers sunk the peers deep into the valley bedrock and covered them with reinforced concrete. |
| Reinforced concrete | Concrete that contains embedded steel bars or fibers to increase its strength | The peers were covered with reinforced concrete to provide additional support to the bridge. |
| Structural efficiency | The ability of a structure to withstand loads and stresses while minimizing the use of materials | The team had to balance the bridge’s visual impact with its structural efficiency during the construction process. |
| Iconic | Famous or well-known, often due to its unique design or features | The Malao Viaduct has become an instant icon and tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. |
| CO2 emissions | The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, often as a result of human activity | The Malao Viaduct has saved around 40,000 tons of CO2 emissions from heavy goods vehicles. |
| Sustainability | The ability to maintain or support a process or system over time without depleting natural resources | The Malao Viaduct is an example of sustainable design, having paid for itself within three years and reducing CO2 emissions. |
| Collaboration | The act of working together to achieve a common goal | The construction of the Malao Viaduct demonstrated the importance of collaboration between architects and engineers. |
| Visual impact | The effect that a structure or design has on the surrounding environment and viewers | The team had to consider the visual impact of the bridge, ultimately choosing a gray color to blend in with the sky. |
| Landslide | The movement of rock, soil, or other materials down a slope, often due to natural or human-induced factors | The Malao Viaduct is located in a valley prone to landslides, making its construction a significant challenge. |
| Steel | A strong, versatile metal alloy used in construction and other applications | The bridge’s deck was made from hollow steel, providing strength and durability. |
| Engineer | A person who designs, builds, or maintains structures, machines, or systems | Michel Vero, the engineer, played a crucial role in the design and construction of the Malao Viaduct. |
| Architect | A person who designs buildings, structures, or other environments | Lord Norman Foster, the architect, designed the Malao Viaduct to add to the landscape rather than take away from it. |
| Tourist attraction | A place or feature that draws visitors and tourists | The Malao Viaduct has become a popular tourist attraction, saving around 40,000 tons of CO2 emissions from heavy goods vehicles. |
| Valley | A low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river or stream flowing through it | The Malao Viaduct spans the Tan Valley, standing at 340m above the valley floor. |
| Steep | Having a sharp or abrupt slope, often making it difficult to climb or build on | The Malao Viaduct is located in a steep and wide valley, making its construction a significant challenge. |
Malao Viaduct Vocabulary Quiz
Test your knowledge of vocabulary from the text about the Malao Viaduct!
Answer Key:
- 3. having a strong tendency
- 2. built in a factory before being transported to the site
- 2. made stronger with added materials
- 2. raised or increased
- 1. a famous or well-known symbol
Passive Voice and Modal Verbs for Expressing Certainty and Possibility
| The text about the Malao Viaduct features the use of passive voice and modal verbs to express certainty and possibility. The passive voice is used to describe the bridge’s design and construction, such as “was designed” and “was made”. Modal verbs like “would” and “could” are used to express possibility and potential outcomes, such as “would add to the landscape” and “could blend in with the sky”. The use of these grammatical structures allows the reader to understand the complexities and challenges of the bridge’s construction, as well as its impact and legacy. |
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Quiz Time!
Choose the correct answer for each question:
- The Malao Viaduct was considered impossible to build due to its location. What does the phrase “was considered” imply? It was thought to be possible It was thought to be impossible It was actually possible It was not thought about
- The bridge’s deck was made from hollow steel. What is the function of the phrase “was made” in this sentence? To describe the bridge’s location To describe the bridge’s design To describe the bridge’s construction materials To describe the bridge’s height
- Lord Foster ultimately chose gray to blend in with the sky. What modal verb could be used instead of “chose” to express possibility? Would Could Might Should
- The bridge has become an instant icon and tourist attraction. What is the function of the phrase “has become” in this sentence? To describe the bridge’s design To describe the bridge’s construction To describe the bridge’s current state To describe the bridge’s location
- The team used GPS for positioning. What is the implication of using the passive voice in this sentence? The team was very experienced The team was not responsible for the action The action of using GPS is more important than the team The team did not use GPS
Answer Key:
- b
- c
- b
- c
- c
