Diagnostic Assessment of One of the First Generation of Prestressed Concrete Bridges in Slovakia

Abstract

The first generation of precast prestressed girder bridges have been used in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s. Nowadays, many of this bridges are in insufficient condition and require extensive rehabilitation. Concrete bridge No. 59-090 on the important international route I/59 connecting Slovakia to Poland, was in failure condition before collapse. After visual inspection it was necessary to definitely eliminate traffic on the bridge. The diagnostic survey has confirmed the necessity to replace the superstructure of the bridge and repair the original abutments and bridge pier. The bridge was closed and the traffic was redirected on temporary bridge during the reconstruction time. This paper focuses on the diagnostic survey of this type of prestressed concrete bridge.