Lessons learned from construction of several extradosed bridges

The creation of the concept and denomination of the extradosed bridge is attributed to the French engineer Jacques Mathivat, who, in 1988, coined this term for the first time referring to the solution he proposed for the Àrret Darré Viaduct. In that proposal, prestressing cables extended out from the upper part of the deck were anchored to a low tower in order to gain eccentricity. Even though this option implied material savings with regard to other more conventional solutions, it was rejected. Nevertheless, Mathivat’s proposal inspired the Japanese who, in 1994, built Odawara Blueway Bridge in Japan. Since then, approximately one hundred extradosed bridges have been built all over the world.