Erfahrungen bei der Beurteilung der Dauerhaftigkeit vorgespannter Bewehrung von älteren Spannbetonbrücken

Experiences due to the evaluation of the durability of prestressed reinforcements in old prestressed concrete bridges. Old prestressed concrete bridge superstructures exhibiting cracks across the prestressed reinforcement need detailed inspections for estimating maintenance requirements. Only this type of evaluation makes it possible to determine the required extent and nature of maintenance. In this paper essential steps of the “Directive of the durability of prestressed reinforcements in old prestressed concrete bridge superstructures” of the Federal Highway Research Institute are explained, also against the effects of growing heavy traffic with expected higher gross weights and axle loads.