Michel Virlogeux
Encyclopedia
Dr. Michel Virlogeux is a French
structural engineer
and bridge
specialist.
in 1967 and from the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
in 1970. From 1970 to 1973 he served in Tunisia
on road projects and at the same time gained his Engineering Doctorate from the 'Pierre et Marie Curie University' (Sixth Arrondissement, Paris). In January 1974 he joined the Bridge Department of SETRA, the technical service of the French Highway Administration.
In 1980 he became Head of the Large Concrete Bridge Division, and in 1987 of the large Bridge Division, Steel and Concrete. During twenty years he designed more than 100 bridges, including the Normandy Bridge which held the world record for longest cable-stayed bridge for four years. In 1995 he left the French Administration and set up as independent consulting engineer; his major achievements include his participation in the construction of the 'Second Tagus Crossing', the Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon
, and the design of the Millau Viaduct
in France. Several of his bridges have received architectural awards.
Since 1977 Dr Virlogeux has been a part-time professor of structural analysis at the prestigious École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
and at the "Centre des Hautes Études du Béton Armé et Précontraint" in Paris. He also has been very active in technical associations such as the French Association of Civil Engineering (AFGC), 1974–1995; the 'Fédération Internationale de Précontrainte' (FIP) (President 1996); the 'Fédération Internationale du Béton' (FIB); first President in 1998 after the merger with the 'Comité Européen du Béton' (CEB).
(IABSE) since 1974, Dr. Virlogeux received the inaugural IABSE Prize in Venice in 1983.
He has received many other international awards, which include the 'Award of Excellence of the Engineering News Record' (1995), the 'Gold Medal of the Institution of Structural Engineers' (1979), the Gold Medal of the Institution of Civil Engineers (2005) the 'Gustave Magnel Medal' (1999) and the 'Fritz Leonhardt Prize
' (also the first year that it was awarded). He is a member of the French Academy of Technology
.
He received the 2003 IABSE Award of Merit in Structural Engineering in recognition of "his major contributions leading to very significant progress in the field of civil engineering, in particular through the development of external prestressing, landmark cable-stayed bridges and composite structures". The Award Presentation took place during the Opening of the IABSE Symposium 'Structures for High-Speed Railway Transportation', Antwerp, Belgium
on 27 August 2003. The presentation was presented by Dr. Manabu Ito, President of IABSE.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
structural engineer
Structural engineer
Structural engineers analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of users or occupants...
and bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
specialist.
Career
Michel Virlogeux graduated from the École PolytechniqueÉcole Polytechnique
The École Polytechnique is a state-run institution of higher education and research in Palaiseau, Essonne, France, near Paris. Polytechnique is renowned for its four year undergraduate/graduate Master's program...
in 1967 and from the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
Founded in 1747, the École nationale des ponts et chaussées , often referred to as les Ponts, is the world's oldest civil engineering school...
in 1970. From 1970 to 1973 he served in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
on road projects and at the same time gained his Engineering Doctorate from the 'Pierre et Marie Curie University' (Sixth Arrondissement, Paris). In January 1974 he joined the Bridge Department of SETRA, the technical service of the French Highway Administration.
In 1980 he became Head of the Large Concrete Bridge Division, and in 1987 of the large Bridge Division, Steel and Concrete. During twenty years he designed more than 100 bridges, including the Normandy Bridge which held the world record for longest cable-stayed bridge for four years. In 1995 he left the French Administration and set up as independent consulting engineer; his major achievements include his participation in the construction of the 'Second Tagus Crossing', the Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, and the design of the Millau Viaduct
Millau Viaduct
The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern France. Designed by the British architect Norman Foster and French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, it is the tallest bridge in the world, with one mast's summit at . It is the...
in France. Several of his bridges have received architectural awards.
Since 1977 Dr Virlogeux has been a part-time professor of structural analysis at the prestigious École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
Founded in 1747, the École nationale des ponts et chaussées , often referred to as les Ponts, is the world's oldest civil engineering school...
and at the "Centre des Hautes Études du Béton Armé et Précontraint" in Paris. He also has been very active in technical associations such as the French Association of Civil Engineering (AFGC), 1974–1995; the 'Fédération Internationale de Précontrainte' (FIP) (President 1996); the 'Fédération Internationale du Béton' (FIB); first President in 1998 after the merger with the 'Comité Européen du Béton' (CEB).
Awards
A member of the International Association for Bridge and Structural EngineeringInternational Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering
The International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering is a non-profit organisation with mission to promote the exchange of knowledge and to advance the practice of structural engineering worldwide in the service of the profession and society, taking into consideration technical,...
(IABSE) since 1974, Dr. Virlogeux received the inaugural IABSE Prize in Venice in 1983.
He has received many other international awards, which include the 'Award of Excellence of the Engineering News Record' (1995), the 'Gold Medal of the Institution of Structural Engineers' (1979), the Gold Medal of the Institution of Civil Engineers (2005) the 'Gustave Magnel Medal' (1999) and the 'Fritz Leonhardt Prize
Fritz Leonhardt
Fritz Leonhardt was a German structural engineer who made major contributions to 20th century bridge engineering, especially in the development of cable-stayed bridges...
' (also the first year that it was awarded). He is a member of the French Academy of Technology
French Academy of Technologies
The French Academy of Technologies is a learned society, founded in 2000, with an emphasis on technology. It is the newest of French academies...
.
He received the 2003 IABSE Award of Merit in Structural Engineering in recognition of "his major contributions leading to very significant progress in the field of civil engineering, in particular through the development of external prestressing, landmark cable-stayed bridges and composite structures". The Award Presentation took place during the Opening of the IABSE Symposium 'Structures for High-Speed Railway Transportation', Antwerp, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
on 27 August 2003. The presentation was presented by Dr. Manabu Ito, President of IABSE.
External links
- Dr Michel Virlogeux, France IABSE biography