The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge stands as a monumental engineering achievement, proudly claiming its title as the longest suspension bridge in the Çanakkale Province of Turkey. Purposefully designed, this awe-inspiring structure serves as a transformative symbol of enhanced transportation and connectivity, fostering seamless links between the European and Asian regions of Turkey.
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Technical Features of 1915 Çanakkale Bridge
Span Length:
The span length (distance between the main towers) of the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge is one of the critical technical features. The bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world—with a primary span of 2,023 meters (2.023 kilometers; 1.257 miles)
The bridge is longer than the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (1998) in Japan by 32 meters (105 feet).
Towers:
The bridge would feature two prominent Towers that support the suspension cables. Shaped to resemble an artillery shell as a tribute to the legendary Battle of Gallipoli, a military campaign that took place in the First World War.
The bridge’s Towers are 318 meters high, with a mid-span of 2,023 meters. The towers will feature red and white in homage to the Turkish flag.
The height and design of these towers are essential for the overall stability and aesthetics of the bridge.
Anchorages:
The bridge’s main cables are anchored securely to massive anchorages at each end. These anchorages provide stability and distribute the load. The anchorages are of the gravity type, constructed of concrete, and supported on spread foundations.
Roadway Configuration:
The Bridge has multiple lanes for vehicular traffic. The deck carries six lanes (three in each direction) of motorways and two walkways on each side for maintenance.
The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge
This bridge links the cities of Lapseki on the Gallipoli Peninsula (in the European part) and Şekerkaya on the Anatolian Peninsula (in the Asian region).
Main Cables:
As Suspension bridges rely on strong main cables to support the bridge deck, the materials and construction of these cables are critical technical aspects. The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge bridge main cable comprises a prefabricated parallel wire system, erected strand by strand.
The diameter of the cable over the main span is 869mm with 144 strands, while the diameter is 881 mm with 148 strands on the side spans. The wire diameter is 5.8mm, and each strand comprises 127 wires. Each main cable is 4,384m long from anchor to anchor.
Deck Structure:
The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge used Orthotropic steel deck which is lighter and more flexible than its conventional concrete counterpart. Orthotropic steel has a high-potential solution for the rapid replacement. or rehabilitation of bridges
Wind and Seismic Load:
Given its location and size, the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge is designed to withstand strong winds and seismic activities. Technical features included damping systems and other measures to ensure stability during adverse conditions.
The following table describes the movement restrictions in case of adverse wind speed. 1
| Wind Speed (km/h) | Restrictions for the Use of the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge at different Wind Speed |
|---|---|
| 54 | Traffic speed for all the vehicles on the Bridge is limited to 65 km/h. |
| 72 | Use of the Bridge by double-decker buses is prohibited. |
| 79 | Use of the Bridge by vehicles with high frontage, boxes (cubes) and highly bulky loads is prohibited. |
| 104 | Vehicles other than cars are prohibited from using the Bridge. |
| 126 | The Bridge is closed to traffic for all vehicles |
The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge is massively contributing to the region’s economic development by promoting trade and tourism. The bridge also holds strategic importance by facilitating more efficient transportation and reducing travel times between the European and Asian sides of Turkey. If you think this way, it is truly an inspiration for modern structures!
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