Title: Contributions of Gustave Magnel to the Development of Prestressed Concrete

Author(s): L.R. Taerwe

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 231

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-14

Keywords: history; Magnel; prestressed concrete

DOI: 10.14359/14917

Date: 10/1/2005

Abstract:
In the early 1940’s Prof. G. Magnel performed extensive researchprogrammes on real scale prestressed concrete beams at Ghent University (Belgium) inorder to elaborate design methods for this new material. He also developed his ownanchorage system which was used until the mid 60’s in Belgium. He gave manylectures in several countries in which he explained in a simple way the principles ofprestressed concrete. He was also instrumental in the design of the first prestressedconcrete bridge in the USA, the Walnut Lane Bridge in Philadelphia and he was theauthor of the first English textbook on prestressed concrete. He designed one of thefirst PC railway bridges in Europe and the first statically indeterminate PC bridge in theworld. In the 1950’s many engineers from abroad spent some time in Magnels lab inGhent to perform research and to get acquainted with practical realizations.