Messina Bridge
Technical Terms
A small guide for visitors and the curious through the many technical and design terms related to the project. From engineering definitions to acronyms used in official documents, each entry clarifies key concepts about structure, safety, environment, and management. An agile tool for navigating a project of historical significance, combining innovation, sustainability, and territorial development.
HIGHLIGHTED
Messina Bridge
EVIDENCE
Main Span
This is the suspended section connecting the two shores of the Strait. In the Messina Bridge project, it reaches approximately 3,300 meters, setting a world record for length. The span must guarantee stability and safety even in the presence of strong winds, intense traffic, and seismic stresses, integrating high-performance materials and vibration damping systems.EVIDENCE
Towers
Two steel pylons over 380 meters high support the main cables. Designed to withstand extreme events, they house stairs, elevators, and sophisticated instruments for the continuous monitoring of the structure, ensuring the bridge’s efficiency and durability over time.EVIDENCE
Foundations
Underground structures supporting the towers and anchorages. Made with special concrete, they are designed to withstand high pressures and the seismic effects typical of the Strait area.EVIDENCE
Deck
This is the platform housing the six road lanes and the two railway tracks. The deck is designed to combine lightness and robustness, with an aerodynamic section that reduces wind pressure and improves driving and railway transit comfort.EVIDENCE
Main Cables
Composed of tens of thousands of ultra-high-strength steel wires, the cables, with a diameter of 1.20 m, support the deck, distributing its weight to the towers and anchorages. Their tension is regulated with extreme precision, and a sensor system constantly verifies their structural efficiency.EVIDENCE
Suspenders
Vertical steel elements connecting the deck to the main cables. They uniformly distribute the weight of the bridge and traffic, keeping the platform stable. Their geometry, designed to reduce vibrations, contributes to the safety and comfort of those crossing the bridge.EVIDENCE
Tie-downs / Stay Cables
Secondary cables stabilizing specific portions of the structure. They serve to balance tensions and oscillations, increasing the rigidity of the overall system.EVIDENCE
Anchorages
The two anchorages located on the Calabrian and Sicilian shores are enormous reinforced concrete blocks, placed underground, which secure the cable ends. Their function is to transfer the forces generated by the weight and stresses of the bridge to the ground, ensuring the stability of the entire system.EVIDENCE
Roadways
The six lanes intended for road traffic, three for each direction. They are designed with porous materials and high-visibility signage to ensure comfort and safety in all weather conditions.
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Railway Tracks
Two railway lines integrated into the deck, allowing the transit of high-capacity trains. Their presence makes the bridge a multimodal link, fostering the development of sustainable transport between Calabria and Sicily.
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Aerodynamic Dampers
Devices installed on cables and the deck to dampen oscillations caused by wind and traffic. They protect the structure and improve the lifespan of metal elements.EVIDENCE
Seismic Dampers
Devices installed at strategic points of the structure to absorb and dissipate energy generated by potential earthquakes. They help protect the deck, towers, and anchorages, keeping the bridge safe even in the event of significant seismic activity.
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Expansion Joints
Components that allow the deck to expand or contract with temperature variations, preventing deformations or damage to the lanes and tracks.EVIDENCE
Wind Barriers
Transparent or metal panels positioned along the edges of the deck. They limit the wind’s action on vehicles, ensuring safety during transit even in unfavorable weather conditions.EVIDENCE
Safety Barriers
Protective elements placed at the sides of the roadways, designed to contain potential impacts and safeguard passengers and infrastructure. They are made with resistant materials and shapes that reduce visual impact.
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Monitoring and Surveillance Systems
Integrated technologies that constantly monitor vibrations, temperature, cable tension, and traffic. They enable timely interventions in case of anomalies and support preventive maintenance.EVIDENCE
Architectural Lighting
A system of lights that enhances the bridge’s profile during nighttime hours, improving visibility for users and creating a suggestive scenic effect, in harmony with the Strait’s landscape.