Ep 8. Millau Viaduct

In season 2 episode 8 of Extreme Engineering, the focus is on the construction of the Millau Viaduct in France. The episode highlights the challenges faced by the engineers in building the tallest bridge in the world.

The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the Tarn valley in southern France. The bridge is a marvel of engineering, standing at 1,125 feet tall and spanning over 8,000 feet. The construction of the bridge was a massive feat of engineering, taking three years to complete and costing over 400 million Euros.

The episode begins with a brief history of the Tarn valley and the need for a bridge to connect the two sides. The valley was a major obstacle for transportation, and engineers had been trying to build a bridge there for decades. However, the challenging terrain and the high winds made it a difficult task.

The episode then focuses on the team of engineers who were tasked with designing and building the Millau Viaduct. The team was led by French engineer Michel Virlogeux, who had previously designed the Normandy Bridge. The episode highlights the challenges faced by the team in designing a bridge that would withstand the high winds in the valley and also be aesthetically pleasing.

To address the issue of the high winds, the team came up with a design that included a series of slender towers and cables that would hold the bridge in place. The towers were placed at an angle to increase their stability and reduce the amount of steel needed. The cables, made from steel strands, were woven together to create a strong and flexible network that could withstand extreme weather conditions.

The episode then moves on to the construction phase of the Millau Viaduct. The team used state-of-the-art technology to build the bridge, including computer-aided design and advanced materials. The steel for the bridge was fabricated in Spain and transported to France, where it was assembled on site.

The biggest challenge faced by the construction team was the height of the bridge. The workers had to build the bridge from the ground up, and as the bridge got taller, it became more difficult to work on. To address this issue, the team used a special crane that could lift heavy loads to the top of the tower.

The episode also highlights the role of the local community in the construction of the Millau Viaduct. The bridge was seen as a symbol of progress and development, and the locals were proud to be a part of it. The construction project also brought a lot of economic benefits to the area, creating jobs and boosting tourism.

Overall, season 2 episode 8 of Extreme Engineering provides a fascinating look at the construction of the Millau Viaduct. The episode highlights the challenges faced by the engineers in designing and building the world's tallest bridge and showcases the technology and innovations that were used in the construction process. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in engineering or architecture.