REINFORCEMENT OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM TYPE BRIDGE

Abstract

This slab beam type bridge with three sections, according to a previous study carried out, it is concluded that the beams have a lack of flexural resistance to the vehicular loads of the current Ecuadorian regulations, although they comply with their shear resistance, determining that it requires a reinforcement to guarantee its functionality in the medium and long term. From this, different methods are generally described for reinforcing the superstructure of a bridge that has been in operation for some years and requires intervention. The exposed methods are with carbon fiber reinforced polymer, with its acronym in English CFRP, reinforcement with external post-tensioning, reinforcement with cladding of the structural elements and reinforcement with restrained buckling braces with its acronym in English BRB. Starting from the objective of the need to reinforce the structural elements of this reinforced concrete bridge, slab beam type, built in 1986, metal cladding is proposed, resulting in its feasible use improving the resistant capacity of the bridge. This type of reinforcement consists of anchoring, using bolts, metal plates to the faces of the bridge beams. The reinforcement project was carried out using software specialized in bridge modeling and following the methodology described in the Manual for Bridge Evaluation, reaching the conclusion that the bending resistance of the beams increased by 50% with respect to their initial capacity