The total length of the bridge is 3911 meters, and the distance between the supports is 1991 meters. Due to its size, the bridge was twice included in the Guinness Book of Records. The bridge design has its own special technical features of the bridge, designed to ensure that the bridge can withstand extreme loads. This is a system of double-hinged stiffening beams that allow the bridge to withstand wind speeds of up to 80 meters per second, resist sea currents and withstand earthquakes of magnitude up to 8.5. Special pendulum systems are also used that operate at the resonant frequency of the bridge structure. About 500 billion yen were spent on construction. The bridge connected two large islands of Japan - Honshu and Shikoku. If you want to admire the views from the bridge and the bridge itself, then from the Kobe side there is a 317-meter long concrete promenade specially built for this purpose.
History of construction
The decision to build the bridge was made by the Japanese government back in the late 50s. It was forced to listen to the views of local residents who went on strike after the death of 168 children on two ferries that sank during the storm. However, the matter moved from a dead point only in 1988.
During the construction of Akashi-Kaikyo, the greatest difficulties were created by the sea itself with its salt water, strong currents and soft soil. To prevent the destruction of underwater bridge structures under the influence of sea water, the Japanese invented especially strong, quickly hardening concrete and built a plant for its production near the construction site. This concrete was used to create two huge round platforms, which were poured on the shore and then sunk with incredible precision for their size (the error was only 10 cm). They served as the basis for the pylons, the construction of which became the next stage of construction. Having withstood the 7.3 magnitude earthquake of 1995, the tallest pylons in the world at that time successfully passed the strength test.
The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge opened on April 5, 1998, providing an alternative to the unsafe ferry crossing.
- If you tie all the cables of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge into one line, then they can encircle the globe 7 times!
- Since the construction of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge cost the Japanese government almost $5 billion, travel on it is paid - the cost is $20. Therefore, today those who want to save money risk their lives and continue to use the ferry crossing.
- The bridge has an unofficial name - Pearl Bridge.
If you tie all the cables of this Japanese miracle into one line, they can encircle the globe 7 times!
The bridge is actually called the Akashi Kaikyo because it crosses the Akashi Strait, but it is simply better known as the Pearl Bridge.
Construction of the Pearl Bridge began back in 1988 in very difficult conditions - 1,400 ships sailed through this strait every day, plus this dangerous waterway is often subject to strong storms
According to the original design, the central section of the bridge was supposed to be 1,990 meters, but the 7.5-magnitude Kobe earthquake on January 17, 1995 moved one of the bridge pylons by 1 meter. Some changes had to be made to the bridge design, as a result of which work was suspended for a month, and the central span was lengthened by a meter
During construction, engineers also faced the problem of concrete hardening under water - because, due to environmental conditions, it was necessary to pour concrete directly under water, while ordinary concrete simply dissolves in water. As a result, it was for this bridge that a completely new type of concrete was created, which hardens in any conditions and is in no way frightened by the presence of water)
Construction was completed only 10 years after it began, and on April 5, 1998, the Pearl Bridge was solemnly put into operation. Akashi Kaikyo is still the longest suspension bridge in the world - its total length is 3911 meters, the length of the central span is 1991 meters, and the side spans are 960 meters each.
In addition to the fact that the Pearl Bridge is the longest, it was also the highest suspension bridge in the world (its pylons reach 298 meters), until the Millot Viaduct was built in France, surpassing Kaikyo by 45 meters
Akashi Kaikyo's design allows it to withstand the strongest underwater currents, winds up to 80 m/s (286 km/h) and, if necessary, earthquakes up to magnitude 8.5
For the cable that was supposed to hold the two-kilometer bridge weighing 160,000 tons, the Japanese created wire twice as strong as those usually used in bridge construction. To obtain such a reinforced cable, it was created using a special system - initially 127 five-millimeter wires were assembled into one “strand,” then 290 such strands were assembled into a cable. As a result, the cable consists of 36,830 thousand wires, and the total length of the wire in it was 300,000 kilometers!
The construction of the Akashi Kaikyo involved 2 million workers, and 181,000 tons of high-strength steel were used for the entire metal structure of the bridge. In total, $5 billion was spent on the construction of Akashi Kaikyo, which resulted in a fairly high toll - $20, due to which only a few people use the bridge - many prefer to cross the strait by bus or, as before, by ferry
- Address: Higashimaikocho, Tarumi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 655-0047, Japan
- Construction type: suspension bridge
- Total length: 3911 m
- Height: 282.8 m
- Date of foundation: April 5, 1998
One of the longest structures on the planet is the Akashi Kaikyō suspension bridge, which is located in. It is also known as Pearl Bridge.
Description of the attraction
Akashi-Kaike is a six-lane road bridge connecting the cities of Awaji (Shikoku Island) and (Honshu). The settlements are separated by the Akashi Strait.
The structure has a length of 3911 m and a height of 282.8 m. The distance between the central supports is 1991 m, the side spans are separated by a gap of 960 m.
The bridge design was developed taking into account special technical features. It can withstand extreme loads, strong winds up to 286 km/h (80 m/s) and earthquakes up to magnitude 8, and can withstand sea currents. The developers were able to achieve such indicators by using two hinged stiffening beams and a unique system of pendulums that work in resonance with the overall structure of the structure.
Scientists have also created special super-strong concrete. It has the properties to harden in any environment and not dissolve in water. A factory for the production of raw materials was built right next to the Akashi Strait. Here they built 2 huge molds so that the pylons could be poured into them later. They were flooded to within 10 cm, despite the strong undercurrent.
Construction Features
The Japanese government decided to create the Akashi-Kaike Bridge in the mid-20th century. It comes after 168 children died on two ferries during a terrible storm. Construction of the bridge began only in 1988.
The cable for the bridge was also developed using special technologies. For this purpose, a wire was created, the strength of which was increased by 2 times compared to conventional structures. Scientists collected 127 five-millimeter wires into one strand, and then 290 such bundles were fastened together. The guide rope connecting the pylons was tensioned using helicopters.
The builders worked in difficult conditions, because they were hampered not only by ships passing by (about 1,400 ships daily), but also by salty water with a strong current and a rather soft bottom.
The official opening of the Akashi-Kaike Suspension Bridge took place in 1998 on April 5. During its construction the following were involved:
- 18100 tons of high-strength steel;
- more than $5 billion;
- about 2 million people.
Today, the cost to cross the bridge is approximately $20. Because of such a high cost, many, as before? cross the strait by ferry or take a bus.
Those who wish to admire Akashi Kaike can do so from the side of the city of Kobe, where a special concrete promenade has been built. The platform is 317 m long and offers stunning views of the bridge. It is especially beautiful at night, when it is illuminated by tens of thousands of lights.
Interesting facts about the bridge
Akashi-Kaike is famous not only in the country, but throughout the world. He achieved fame due to the fact that:
- was twice included in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest and longest bridge on the planet;
- The structural cable consists of 36,830 thousand pieces of wire, which has a total length of 300,000 km. It can wrap around the globe almost 7 times.
How to get there?
The Akashi-Kaike suspension bridge is part of the main highway connecting major cities. From the center you can get here along the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. The distance is approximately 35 km.
From Awaji, you can reach it via highways No. 66, 469 and Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. Travel time will take up to 50 minutes.
Akashi Kaikyo (Japanese: 明石海峡大橋 Akashi Kaikyo: O:hashi) is a suspension bridge in Japan that crosses the Akashi Strait and connects the city of Kobe on the island of Honshu with the city of Awaji on the island of Awaji. It is part of one of the three highways connecting Honshu and Shikoku.
History of construction
Before the construction of the bridge across the international waterway - the Akashi Strait - there was a ferry service. This dangerous waterway was often subject to severe storms. So, in 1955, two ferries sank here during a storm. The victims of this tragedy were 168 children. Initially, it was planned to build a railway-road bridge, but in April 1986, when construction had already begun, it was decided to limit traffic to 6 lanes only. In fact, construction of the bridge began in 1988, and the opening took place on April 5, 1998. First, two concrete foundations for the pylons were built at the bottom of the Akashi Strait. To do this, two huge round forms were placed on the shore for pouring concrete, then they were flooded. The difficulty was to flood them with great precision, but the bridge builders managed to do this, despite the strong current in the Akashi Strait, and the error was no more than 10 cm. For the construction of this bridge, a special concrete was developed that does not dissolve in water at filling. The next stage of bridge construction was stretching the cables. To do this, it was necessary to stretch a guide rope from one pylon to another. It was pulled over with the help of a helicopter. When both cables were stretched in 1995 and it was possible to begin installing the roadway, the unexpected happened: on January 17, 1995, the city of Kobe fell victim to a major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3. The pylons withstood the earthquake, but due to changes in the topography of the bottom of the Akashi Strait, one of the pylons moved 1 m to the side, thus violating all calculations. Engineers proposed lengthening the roadway beams and increasing the distance between the cables hanging from the main cables. Construction work, delayed for no more than a month, has resumed. The installation of the roadway was completed in 1998. The total cost of constructing the bridge was 500 billion yen, so the toll was set at a high price (2,300 yen). The bridge is used by 25 thousand vehicles every day; some drivers, due to the high cost, prefer to cross the strait by bus or, as before, by ferry.
Bridge design
The bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world: its total length is 3911 m, the central span is 1991 m long, and the side spans are 960 m long. The height of the pylons is 298 m. It was originally planned that the length of the main span would be 1990 m, but it has increased one meter after the Kobe earthquake of January 17, 1995 (see above). The bridge design has a system of double-hinged stiffening beams that allows it to withstand wind speeds of up to 80 m/s, earthquakes of magnitude up to 8.5 and resist strong sea currents. To reduce the forces acting on the bridge...
Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge
Application area: Automotive
Crosses the Akashi Strait
Location of Awaji and Kobe
Construction type Suspension bridge
Main span 1,991 m
Total length 3,911 m
Pylon height 298 m
History of bridge construction
Before the construction of the bridge, a ferry service operated across the international waterway - the Akashi Strait. This dangerous waterway was often subject to severe storms: in 1955, two ferries sank during a storm, killing 168 children. Resident unrest and general discontent forced the Japanese government to draw up plans to build a suspension bridge. Initially, it was planned to build a railway-road bridge, but in April 1986, when construction had already begun, it was decided to limit traffic to 6 lanes only. In fact, the construction of the bridge began in 1988, and the opening took place on April 5, 1998.
First, two concrete foundations for the pylons were built at the bottom of the Akashi Strait. To do this, two huge round forms were built on the shore for pouring concrete, then they were flooded. The whole difficulty was to sink them with great precision, but the bridge builders managed this, despite the strong current in the Akashi Strait, and the error was no more than 10 cm. The next step was the invention of concrete, which hardens in sea water, since The concrete was poured under water, and ordinary concrete would simply dissolve in the water and not harden. For pouring, a concrete plant was built on the shore to produce this special concrete. When the foundations were ready, the builders began erecting the pylons.
It was very difficult work, requiring extreme accuracy: the slightest distortion and everything could collapse. The next stage of bridge construction was stretching the cables. To do this, it was necessary to stretch a guide rope from one pylon to another. It was pulled over with the help of a helicopter. For a helicopter this is a difficult task. When in 1995 both cables were stretched and the installation of the roadway could begin, the unexpected happened: on January 17, 1995, the city of Kobe fell victim to a major earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale. The pylons withstood the earthquake, but due to changes in the topography of the bottom of the Akashi Strait, one of the pylons moved 1 meter, thus violating all calculations. It would seem that all the work of 30 years went down the drain, but not everything was lost.
Engineers soon found a solution: lengthen the roadway beams and increase the distance between the cables hanging from the main cables. Construction work, having been delayed for no more than a month, resumed. The installation of the roadway was completed in 1998.
The total cost of the work was about $5 billion.
Due to the high cost of travel ($20), few drivers use the bridge, preferring to cross the strait by bus or, as before, by ferry.
Design features
The bridge design has a system of double-hinged stiffening beams that allows it to withstand wind speeds of up to 80 m/s, seismic activity of up to 8.5 on the Richter scale and resist strong sea currents. To reduce the loads acting on the bridge, there is also a system of pendulums operating at the resonant frequency of the bridge structure.
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