Jean M. Muller
Encyclopedia
Jean Muller was a French bridge engineer who focused on design and construction of concrete bridges.
in Paris, France before he started his career as a bridge engineer. After school he began working closely with Eugene Freyssinet
, and was able to learn the technique of concrete bridge building and develop more efficient ways to join bridge segments together. While working under Freyssinet, Muller was able to learn many techniques which would guide him in his career as a successful Bridge Engineer
.
Bridge extending over the Seine River in Paris, France In 1955 he began working for Campenon Bernard in Paris, France, where he worked with large pre-stressed concrete projects. When he returned to Florida, he joined Eugene Figg
and formed Figg and Muller Engineers in 1978. Muller ended his career in 2000 after working as technical director for 11 years at J. Muller International.
Before match-casting, pre-cast concrete bridge segments were connected using cast-in-place mortar joints. Cast-in-place joints meant that the sections were mortared together at the bridge construction site while cranes
or structural supports held up the pre-cast segments. However, if match-cast sections were used, mortared joints were not necessary. Instead, an epoxy
was applied to both surfaces of the sections to be joined. The sections fit perfectly together and no fillers were required to patch voids on the joint surfaces. Since there were no voids on the joint surfaces the entire cross-sectional area of the joint was in contact providing enough area to produce an extremely strong connection.
. He regularly visited Brethren assemblies around the world, not only in the course of his work, but also for specific occasions. He taught at the annual Plumstead Bible Conferences. A range of his sermons in French and English are given on Bibliquest and BibleCentre, etc.
He normally attended the long established (pre 1870s) Assemblée des Freres at 32 Villa Wagram, 233 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris .
Early career
Born in Levallois-Perret, France, Muller attended the École Centrale des Arts et ManufacturesÉcole Centrale Paris
École Centrale Paris is a French university-level institution in the field of engineering. It is also known by its original name École centrale des arts et manufactures, or ECP. Founded in 1829, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious engineering schools in France and has the special status...
in Paris, France before he started his career as a bridge engineer. After school he began working closely with Eugene Freyssinet
Eugène Freyssinet
Eugène Freyssinet was a French structural and civil engineer. He was the major pioneer of prestressed concrete.Freyssinet was born in at Objat, Corrèze, France. He worked in the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris, France where he designed several bridges until the First World War...
, and was able to learn the technique of concrete bridge building and develop more efficient ways to join bridge segments together. While working under Freyssinet, Muller was able to learn many techniques which would guide him in his career as a successful Bridge Engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
.
Experience
In 1951 he became the chief engineer of the Freyssinet Company and moved to the United States where he began constructing single and multiple span bridges. During this period Muller invented the technique of match-casting. His match-casting innovation was first used with dry joints on the single span Shelton Bridge in upstate New York. The technique was further developed using epoxy on the joints along with pre-cast concrete segmental box-girder technology, which was applied in 1962 on the Choisy-le-RoiChoisy-le-Roi
Choisy-le-Roi is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Geography:Crossed by the Seine river, it is located from the center of Paris....
Bridge extending over the Seine River in Paris, France In 1955 he began working for Campenon Bernard in Paris, France, where he worked with large pre-stressed concrete projects. When he returned to Florida, he joined Eugene Figg
Eugene Figg
Eugene C. Figg, was an American structural engineer who made numerous contributions to the field of structural engineering, especially in the design of the cable-stayed bridge and the use of the segmental concrete construction method...
and formed Figg and Muller Engineers in 1978. Muller ended his career in 2000 after working as technical director for 11 years at J. Muller International.
Invention
After retiring from J. Muller International his colleagues remembered him as an engineer that could take a very complicated problem and reduce it to a few pages of calculations. A prime example of this was his match-casting and segmental bridge section techniques. His match-casting invention consisted of pre-cast segmental sections being cast together and then separated. This made it possible for the sections to fit perfectly together when constructed at the job site, and reduced construction time significantly.Before match-casting, pre-cast concrete bridge segments were connected using cast-in-place mortar joints. Cast-in-place joints meant that the sections were mortared together at the bridge construction site while cranes
Crane (machine)
A crane is a type of machine, generally equipped with a hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves, that can be used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally. It uses one or more simple machines to create mechanical advantage and thus move loads beyond the normal capability of...
or structural supports held up the pre-cast segments. However, if match-cast sections were used, mortared joints were not necessary. Instead, an epoxy
Epoxy
Epoxy, also known as polyepoxide, is a thermosetting polymer formed from reaction of an epoxide "resin" with polyamine "hardener". Epoxy has a wide range of applications, including fiber-reinforced plastic materials and general purpose adhesives....
was applied to both surfaces of the sections to be joined. The sections fit perfectly together and no fillers were required to patch voids on the joint surfaces. Since there were no voids on the joint surfaces the entire cross-sectional area of the joint was in contact providing enough area to produce an extremely strong connection.
Recognition and awards
- The Franklin InstituteFranklin InstituteThe Franklin Institute is a museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States, dating to 1824. The Institute also houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.-History:On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughn Merrick and...
awarded Muller a Benjamin Franklin Medal in 1995 for the development of match-casting.
- During its 125th anniversary in 1999, Engineering News Record recognized Muller as one of the top 125 people to contribute to engineering and construction.
Religion
Jean Muller was a fundamentalist Christian believer and a life long adherent of the Plymouth BrethrenPlymouth Brethren
The Plymouth Brethren is a conservative, Evangelical Christian movement, whose history can be traced to Dublin, Ireland, in the late 1820s. Although the group is notable for not taking any official "church name" to itself, and not having an official clergy or liturgy, the title "The Brethren," is...
. He regularly visited Brethren assemblies around the world, not only in the course of his work, but also for specific occasions. He taught at the annual Plumstead Bible Conferences. A range of his sermons in French and English are given on Bibliquest and BibleCentre, etc.
He normally attended the long established (pre 1870s) Assemblée des Freres at 32 Villa Wagram, 233 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris .
Further reading
- Podolny, Walter Jr. PhD, P.E. and Jean M. Muller. Construction and Design of Prestressed Concrete Segmental Bridges. 1982.
- Tassin, Daniel M. P.E. “Jean M. Muller: Bridge Engineer with Flair for the Art Form.” PCI Journal. March–April 2006.
- PCI Journal