Abstract
This study focuses on the historical research of the Châtellerault Bridge constructed in 1900 in France. This bridge is known as the first ‘grand’ bridge in France. It is also known that the ‘système Hennebique’ developed by Francois Hennebique whose company constructed more than 1800 bridges during nearly 20 years. It is hardly possible to find a trace of the bridge construction by means of the reinforced concrete at that time. It means that the France was a developing country in terms of reinforced concrete bridge construction. But the situation of the reinforced concrete bridge would change drastically after the turning of the century, that is, it has become one of the main types of bridge construction. The year, the scale and the location of the Chatellerault Bridge construction is very significant to clarify the development of the reinforced concrete bridge in France.
