Geodetic Works for Large Structures in Venezuela

The application of rigorous geodetic procedures in extended engineering projects started in Venezuela in the late 1950s with the Guri Dam and the Maracaibo Lake Bridge projects.These two projects belong to the largest engineering ventures in the world: Maracaibo Bridge is the largest prestressed concrete bridge and Guri Dam is one of the largest dam structures with about 33 km of length at the dam crests.This article includes a description of the main geodetic engineering measurements for these two projects and is extended to include other large structures such as dams, tunnels and bridges: The Uribante-Caparo Dam complex with four individual dams and interconnecting tunnels.The Socuy-Tulé Dam complex including the 5-km-long Tulé Dam and the 1.3-km-long Socuy with interconnecting tunnel and canal structures.The Santo Domingo concrete arc dam situated near a very active fault zone and the Santo Domingo Tunnel of 16 km extension.The Yacambú High Dam with a construction height of 162 m and the 24-km Yacambú Tunnel.The Orinoco Bridge, the largest suspension bridge in South America, with a central span of 712 m.The Limon River Bridge, constructed of 95% prefabricated and prestressed concrete elements.In addition, some specific features of other structures will be mentioned: The 50-km-long Maracaibo Lake Dyke.The dam projects along the Caroni River Basin.The network of the 38-km Queniquea Tunnel.The influence of seismic and tectonic circumstances, etc.