Structural Marvels of the World, Global Architecture Design, Buildings, Architect, Photos

Structural Marvels of the World

Architectural Wonders: Major Buildings Projects from around the Globe

9 Dec 2014

7 Structural Wonders of the World

Structural Marvels in the World

It is in human nature to feel awed and inspired from things that have a superlative quality – the most beautiful, the tallest, the smallest or the most ancient of all. We often associate marvels with such superlatives. Nature has created several such marvels. Inspired by these, humans have engineered some excellent structures, structures that are intricate, extremely complex, and those that serve a purpose. There are engineered works of art.

Here we enlist some of the structural marvels of the world, and the superlative qualities that make these structures worth the wonder.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The world’s largest cable bridge – Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan has no pillars for support. Also known as the pearl bridge, this suspension bridge has the longest central span, measuring 1991 meters.

Millau Viaduct

This cable stayed Road Bridge, is the tallest in the world that spans across the valley of river tarn in Millau (southern France). The masts summit above the structure’s base measures 343 meter while the deck stands 270 meters tall (12^th highest in the world): Viaduc de Millau

Beijing National Stadium

The Beijing National Stadium is one of the largest steel structures of the world. Shaped and intertwined like a nest, it is also known as the bird’s nest stadium: Beijing National Stadium

Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Dam is located in China. Spanning across the Yangtze River this hydroelectric dam is the world’s largest power station. With an installed capacity of producing 22,500 megawatts, the dam provides electricity for the area in addition to providing an increased shipping capacity and flood storage space.

The Venice Tide Barrier – Project stage

The Venice tide barrier project is one of its kind (World’s largest flood prevention project), and is designed to retain flood water from entering Venice. This structure consists of 78 rotating gates, each of 6500 square. When there storm or high tide, more than 3 ½ feet is forecasted, the gates rise and block the sea from the lagoon thus stopping the tide water from entering the city.

The Bailong Elevator (Zhangjiajie, China)

Built Zhangjiajie National Forest Park within the picturesque landscape of a cliff, the Bailong Elevator is the highest and the heaviest outdoor elevator. The entire structure 1070 feet high and consists of three double storey glass elevators. It has become a tourist attraction and is popularly known as the ‘hundred dragon elevator across china’. The elevator has a capacity of carrying 50 people in one trip and it takes 2 minutes to reach the top of the cliff.

Capital Gate

The Capital Gate is a 35 storey skyscraper in Abu Dhabi. The structure leans westwards 18 degrees more than the leaning tower of pisa. Here it needs to be noted, that this structure is not a tower, it is an occupied structure with usable floor space. Superlative quality! It is one of the farthest manmade leaning buildings.

The foundation consists of a dense mesh of reinforced steel, and that reaches about 100 feet underground. The building has a prechambered core, i.e. a steel reinforced concrete spine with a case of scoliosis. Another singular quality of the structure is that, the diamond shaped panels are cut in different dimensions to fit each other at a unique angle.

About the Author:

Gaurang Trivedi is engineering consultant at TrueCADD. Besides, donning multiple hats, as a website manager and marketing in charge, he also oversees the editorial content, coordinating and managing the website, its news sections, blogs and social media promotions as well.

Structure building designs

7 Structural Marvels of the World images / information from Gaurang Trivedi

Location: International