Le béton à la mer. La construction d’ouvrages de protection portuaire en blocs artificiels dans l’espace méditerranéen (années 1830-1870)

In the mid-nineteenth century, while the Mediterranean faces a fast-paced port infrastructure development, a major technological breakthrough marks the history of maritime engineering. From Algiers to Marseilles, through Italy or Egypt, precast concrete blocks are used to build harbour breakwaters and protect anchorages. Despite a controversial start, this industrial system quickly becomes a world-renowned model. It follows the steps of engineers and contractors who are exporting, more or less successfully, their know-how beyond national borders. Anyway, the technological spreading does not come down to a mere standardization of structures and activities in a globalizing background, since on-the-ground realities actually imply a constant adaptation of processes. Although the issue highlights a wide range of entangled professional relationships within public works sector, it points out, above all, the remarkable contribution of maritime environment in creating, spreading and improving techniques.