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10/15/2018
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The fourth annual American Concrete Institute Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards and Gala event showcased dozens of innovative concrete projects from around the world. The highest “Excellence” award was presented to Viaduct Over River Almonte, located in Garrovillas de Alconétar, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. Eleven additional global projects were recognized during the packed event at The Concrete Convention and Exposition, in Las Vegas, NV, USA, on Monday, October 15, 2018. Viaduct Over River Almonte, in Garrovillas de Alconétar, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain The award winning concrete arch bridge has a main span of 384 m (1260 ft). Designed to carry 350 km/h (218 mph) rail traffic, the viaduct had to meet rigorous dynamic, serviceability, and safety criteria; and it required complex, staged calculations based on nonlinear material and nonlinear geometry behaviors. Nevertheless, it is aerodynamic and slender, largely due to key design features, including a four-legged arch configuration; 80 MPa (11,603 psi) high-performance concrete; an efficient erection method, with temporary towers and stays; and an innovative monitoring system. The viaduct’s 384 m (1260 ft) main span makes it the largest railway bridge in Spain and the world’s largest concrete arch bridge for high-speed rail service. Its design combines structural efficiency, out-of-plane stability, improved response against cross wind effects, and aesthetics. The design is also environmentally friendly, as the bridge comprises durable materials, has been designed for expedient maintenance, and will include a bespoke barrier that will force birds to soar upward and above the overhead mast line. The bridge arch comprises high-performance, self-consolidating concrete. The complex erection procedure required the development of singular construction devices. The bridge was constructed using a ground-breaking instrumentation and monitoring system that provides information regarding the behavior of the structure during construction and service. David Millar, of the Concrete Institute of Australia, one of the esteemed judges, stated: “The reason I chose the Viaduct as the Overall Award winner was because of the incredible engineering feat that it required to be constructed in an isolated area where it's difficult to get resources into. There were environmental issues and considerations that had to be taken into place and at the end of the day they ended up with a magnificent structure that fitted in with the environment and will last the test of time.” The awards were created to honor the visions of the most creative projects in the concrete industry, while providing a platform to recognize concrete innovation, technology, and excellence across the globe. To be eligible for participation in the Excellence Awards, projects needed to be winners at a local Chapter level and submitted by that Chapter, or chosen by one of ACI’s International Partners. In addition to the highest honor, the “Excellence Award,” which was presented to Viaduct Over River Almonte, additional global projects recognized during the Gala include: Decorative Concrete 1st Place: Roofing of the Montpellier-South of France TGV Station in Montpellier, Herault, France. 2nd Place: Water Garden in Santa Monica, California, USA. High-Rise Buildings 1st Place: Reston Station OB1 Tower in Reston, Virginia, USA. 2nd Place: Nexus Shopping and Business in Setor Marista, Goiânia, GO, Brazil. Infrastructure 1st Place: Viaduct Over River Almonte in Garrovillas de Alconétar, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. 2nd Place: Viroflay Underground Train Station – in Meudon, Hauts-de-Seine, France. Low-Rise Buildings 1st Place: University of Iowa Visual Arts Building, in Iowa City, Iowa, USA. 2nd Place: Design & Build of South Marina Yacht Club at Lusail (BP15) in Doha, Qatar. Mid-Rise Buildings 1st Place: 1200 Intrepid Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 2nd Place: Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Repair & Restoration 1st Place: Provo City Center Temple in Provo, Utah, USA. 2nd Place: Ford Theaters Off Season Improvements Phase 2 & 3 in Hollywood, California, USA. The winning project details can be found at www.concrete.org. Entries for the 2019 Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards are being accepted now through April 2, 2019. Visit www.ACIExcellence.org for more information.
The fourth annual American Concrete Institute Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards and Gala event showcased dozens of innovative concrete projects from around the world.
The highest “Excellence” award was presented to Viaduct Over River Almonte, located in Garrovillas de Alconétar, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. Eleven additional global projects were recognized during the packed event at The Concrete Convention and Exposition, in Las Vegas, NV, USA, on Monday, October 15, 2018.
Viaduct Over River Almonte, in Garrovillas de Alconétar, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
The award winning concrete arch bridge has a main span of 384 m (1260 ft). Designed to carry 350 km/h (218 mph) rail traffic, the viaduct had to meet rigorous dynamic, serviceability, and safety criteria; and it required complex, staged calculations based on nonlinear material and nonlinear geometry behaviors. Nevertheless, it is aerodynamic and slender, largely due to key design features, including a four-legged arch configuration; 80 MPa (11,603 psi) high-performance concrete; an efficient erection method, with temporary towers and stays; and an innovative monitoring system.
The viaduct’s 384 m (1260 ft) main span makes it the largest railway bridge in Spain and the world’s largest concrete arch bridge for high-speed rail service. Its design combines structural efficiency, out-of-plane stability, improved response against cross wind effects, and aesthetics. The design is also environmentally friendly, as the bridge comprises durable materials, has been designed for expedient maintenance, and will include a bespoke barrier that will force birds to soar upward and above the overhead mast line. The bridge arch comprises high-performance, self-consolidating concrete. The complex erection procedure required the development of singular construction devices. The bridge was constructed using a ground-breaking instrumentation and monitoring system that provides information regarding the behavior of the structure during construction and service.
David Millar, of the Concrete Institute of Australia, one of the esteemed judges, stated: “The reason I chose the Viaduct as the Overall Award winner was because of the incredible engineering feat that it required to be constructed in an isolated area where it's difficult to get resources into. There were environmental issues and considerations that had to be taken into place and at the end of the day they ended up with a magnificent structure that fitted in with the environment and will last the test of time.”
The awards were created to honor the visions of the most creative projects in the concrete industry, while providing a platform to recognize concrete innovation, technology, and excellence across the globe. To be eligible for participation in the Excellence Awards, projects needed to be winners at a local Chapter level and submitted by that Chapter, or chosen by one of ACI’s International Partners.
In addition to the highest honor, the “Excellence Award,” which was presented to Viaduct Over River Almonte, additional global projects recognized during the Gala include:
The winning project details can be found at www.concrete.org. Entries for the 2019 Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards are being accepted now through April 2, 2019.
Visit www.ACIExcellence.org for more information.
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