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Qualifications as Structural Art

A structure is a successful work of structural art if the engineering design is efficient, economic, and elegant. These categories are judged by their scientific, social, and symbolic meanings. The Millau Viaduct possess some of these characteristics of structural art.

The efficiency of the viaduct comes from its use of appropriate materials to perform different tasks. The piers and abutments are made of 85,000 m³ of reinforced concrete that resist the compressive forces of viaduct. The deck, pylon, and cable-stays are made of steel that are able to resist the tensile forces exerted on the viaduct. 5 tonnes of steel makes up the cable-stays. The weight of the deck was reduced significantly by constructing if of steel rather than concrete. The steel deck weighs nearly 36,000 tonnes. The traffic loads of the bridge are distributed over the deck to the cables-stay. The load, carried in tension by the cables, is passed into the support towers and then ultimately transferred down to the ground in compression.The bridge spans a total of 2460 m in six 342 m spans and two 204 m spans . The span could have been designed to be longer, as some cable-stay bridges span nearly 1000 m, but the shorter span is stiffer and able to resist the wind forces more efficiently without any noticeable effect on the drivers. A longer span would have also required taller pylons and substantially more material. The height of the pylons and span of the bridge was an efficient use of materials to accomplish the engineering task presented.

The social aspect of the Millau Viaduct relates directly to the economical savings for the drivers of the A75-A71 autoroute. The viaduct represents the final link in the shortest highway path connecting Paris to Perpignan. This shortened the previous journey by nearly 67 km. Time was saved by diverting traffic away from the very heavily traveled Lyon route. The Millau Viaduct saves drivers on tolls as well as time. There are only two tolls established along the entire length of the autoroute and saves passenger drivers nearly €47.40 in toll fees as compared to those who travel on A6, A7, and A9 autoroutes. It is expected that the viaduct will see about at least 10,000 travelers a day .

The elegant design of the Millau Viaduct creates an impressive view across the Tarn River Valley. The viaduct has become a major symbolic attraction of France and holds the record for worlds tallest bridge at 343 m at its tallest point. Former President Jacques Chirac said at the opening of the bridge that the "opening will go down in industrial and technological history" and the viaduct will serve as a "new emblem of French civil engineering" and "prodigy of art and architecture."