As one of the most abundant and commonly used building materials in the world, it’s hardly a surprise that concrete has been used to achieve some incredible feats of civil engineering and architecture. In this article, we look at 5 of the most impressive concrete structures around the world.
Heaviest and the largest structure in the world
Weighing in at a mind boggling 654,576,231,43 kg, the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China holds the record as the world’s heaviest concrete structure. Completed in 2006, the structure also holds the record as being the largest hydroelectric dam in the world as well as the biggest concrete structure.
Longest tunnel
The Gotthard Base tunnel in Switzerland holds the record as the longest concrete tunnel in the world. Completed just this year, the Gotthard Base Tunnel goes through the base of the famous mountain in the Swiss Alps, and slashes the travelling time between the north and south of the country.
Oldest
Although it is only a rudimentary version of modern concrete technology, the ancient Egyptians used a form of concrete to build the pyramids. Created from a mixture of gypsum and lime, the concrete was used as mortar between the thousands of mud and straw bricks used to create these impressive mausoleums. Build in 3,000BC, the pyramids are the oldest surviving example of concrete architecture.
Most expensive
The Abraj Al-Bait Towers (also known as the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel) in the oil rich country of Saudi Arabia holds the record as the world’s most expensive concrete building. Built in 2012, the building cost US$15billion to build, has 120 floors, and towers over Mecca at a height of 601 meters. The tower also boasts the largest clock faces in the world and is topped with a 93m spire.
Least expensive
Whilst they might not be the absolute cheapest concrete structures in the world, concrete impregnated canvas tents are certainly an impressive solution to the challenge of providing emergency housing to refugees and those displaced by natural disasters. Cheap, environmentally friendly, and requiring no more than an hour to construct, these incredible tents can last for up to ten years.
A Better Driveway are established contractors who specialise in installing concrete driveways around Melbourne. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 03 5783 4746.