Description This structure serves to expand Funchal's aging runway from 1800m (5,900') to 2781m (9,125') using a viaduct structure along the island's rugged coast.
The runway is 189m wide on a series of post-tensioned concrete portal frames at 32m centres for a total length of 1008m (3,307'). Each portal frame is comprised of 6 columns, 3.0m (10') diameter and up to 50m (164') in height. Each cap beam is a series of continuous parabolic spans (height varies from 3.6m [11.8'] at midspan to 5.6m [18.4']at ends) incorporated into a two-way deck plate. Piers are either founded on native soil or precast concrete piles. A total of 21-km of 1.5m dia. (5.0') piles and 4-km of 1.2m (4.0') dia piles were driven to support this massive structure. The total volume of concrete is 480 000 cu. metres (631,000 cu.yd) and required over 42 000 tonnes (46,300 tons) of steel reinforcing (bar and cable). Completed cost was 400 Million Euros.
The runway is 56m above sea level and can now serve almost all types of air traffic, including the Boeing 747-400.
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