Zastavni, Denis
[UCL]
This paper attempts to reveal the specific nature of the work of Robert Maillart [1872-1940], after
carefully reviewing the historical context of concrete design. Maillart’s favourite material was reinforced concrete,
and he devised forms that synthesised all the characteristics of a relevant structure. He succeeded by
establishing a clear status for each material used – concrete and reinforcement steel – which allowed him to
define the geometry of his structures correctly. This is demonstrated here by an analysis of the design drawings
for the Salginatobel Bridge and the Chiasso Shed. These examples offer clarification of the use he made of
calculation and graphic statics for design purposes. We conclude with the specificity of his approach as a singular
vision of how (reinforced) concrete can be used within a structural scheme, which in turn allows an original,
expressive structure to be produced of great relevance and reliability.
| Bibliographic reference |
Zastavni, Denis. What was truly innovative about Maillart's designs using reinforced concrete?. In: Proceedings of the Third International Congress on Construction History, NEUNPLUS1 : Berlin 2009, p. 1539-1546 |
| Permanent URL |
http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/97543 |
