A 95-Year-Old Concrete Arch Bridge: From Materials Characterization to Structural Analysis

Abstract

The structural analysis of a 95-year-old concrete arch bridge located in Jagodnik (Poland) is performed in this paper, in order to check its behavior under today’s traffic loads. The mechanical properties of both the concrete and the reinforcement are investigated by testing cores and bar stubs extracted from the bridge. Structural analysis confirms that the bridge meets today’s load requirements in terms of bearing capacity, serviceability state, and that the adopted structural improvements (a new deck slab on top of the existing structure and a layer of mortar to protect the surface of the old concrete) are effective. In this way, the 95-year-old arch bridge was given a new life. The structural improvements show how combining numerical modelling and laboratory tests can contribute to the preservation of an old—though fairly simple—and valuable structure, otherwise destined to demolition, with both environmental and economic benefits.