Nelson Mandela Bridge Stretches Across the Barcelona Landscape

CEMEX supplied 25,000 cubic meters of tailor-made structural concrete as well as architectural concrete for this project. The 304-meter-long bridge is both beautiful and functional, and has a positive impact on the region.

From works of historical interest, such as Cordoba’s Roman bridge or Segovia’s aqueduct, to the newest architectural marvels including Bilbao’s Zubizuri footbridge and the Millennium Bridge in Orense, it’s not unusual to see impressive infrastructure and planning projects throughout Spain’s autonomous communities. Now among them is the newly named Nelson Mandela Bridge in Barcelona, Spain, which, while both beautiful and functional, has had a positive impact on the region. CEMEX supplied 25,000 cubic meters of concrete for this stunning, 304-meter-long bridge.

The bridge was erected at a strategic location, crossing over the Llobregat River and connecting two of Barcelona’s most important economic hubs: The Port of Barcelona and the El Prat Airport. "Our challenge was to respond efficiently to the demands that come with bringing to life one of the most important engineering works of recent years," explains Albert Gomez, CEMEX Commercial Director in Spain´s Catalonia region. "This bridge is an essential work for reducing traffic congestion, improving communication between and easing the logistics of the many companies that operate within these two areas."

The bridge consists of an upper arch with cables that is supported at its base by two pillars in the form of inverted tripods. This design was chosen not only for merely functional but also for aesthetic and environmental aspects, taking into account the river itself.

The steeply inclined pillars were very complex, thus calling for the design of a special material capable of meeting the requirements of this project. "After studying the design’s features, with its high-density incline and finishing requirements, a high-strength, self-compacting, high-plasticity and high-workability structural concrete was developed,” said Gomez. Many tests were performed in the development of the concrete mixture and attention was given to choosing the appropriate materials, including a special cement that is resistant to aggressive environments, sulfates and seawater. In an area with access issues where it would be difficult to complete typical concreting processes like vibrating, the self-compacting properties of the tailor-made concrete design became essential and supported the tight timelines.

The construction of the spectacular arch structure had its own limitations. Since the structure called for a seamless look, it was necessary to employ slow and continuous pours to avoid the formation of individual joints. Logistically it was essential to have a consistent flow of material, and thus close coordination among teams, in order to prevent changes in the finish.

By supplying the required tailor-made structural concrete and the architectural concrete, it was possible to comply with the project’s requirements from both a structural and visual standpoint. The Nelson Mandela Bridge now forms part of the Barcelona landscape and is set to support the region for years to come.

CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries. Celebrating its 110th anniversary, CEMEX has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future.