QUADRANT MATERIALS HELP BRIDGE TO SPAN THE 3 KM CORINTH GULF STRAIT FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN GREECE

TIELT, BELGIUM – August, 2004 – The Rion-Antirion Bridge constructed by Vinci Construction is now the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world with a continuous deck of 2,252 meters made of precast steel and concrete panels. Completed in time to convey the Olympic Torch, the structure is designed to guarantee resistance to seismic activities for 100 years and to sustain the impact of an 18,000 tons tanker sailing at 18 knots. Its most innovative feature, however, is the fully suspended continuous deck, able to move as a pendulum between four pylons. All future suspension bridges are likely to have similar requirements.

QEPP supplied different components for the bridge’s construction:

• Ertalyte TX Sliding Blocks covered the stainless steel pads that enabled manoeuvre of the deck panels in the construction yard. Ertalyte TX offers high dimensional stability, wear resistance, and low-friction characteristics. Stock shapes made from the material can be easily machined to fit application tolerances,

• Ertalon 6SA Cable Protector housed the cable strands within the pylons during construction.

• Cestilene HD 1000 and HD 500 Anchor Blocks for the deck suspension cables incorporating 38 machined holes enabled cables to pass through concrete into the deck.

“We are proud to have played a role in the construction of the Rion-Antirion bridge, envisioned 100 years ago by Greek Prime Minister Harilaos Trikoupis and realized today by Vinci Construction”, said François Darcourt, Market Developer at QEPP. “Our role further demonstrates that Quadrant’s expertise, resources and broad portfolio of high-performance engineered plastics can provide solutions for both large and small endeavours.”

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