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 thin-shell 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 Saint-Pie 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 Saint-Jacques le Majeurhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Freyssinet