PSI - Issue 62

Francesco Bencardino et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 62 (2024) 972–982 Francesco Bencardino/ Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2019) 000 – 000

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a)

b)

Fig. 1. a ) Cracks due to increased shear stress; b ) Cracks due to corrosion or not enough concrete cover.

2. Description of the bridge A Ribbed Girder Bridge Deck (RGBD) is a type of concrete-based structure characterized by its ribs-based shape. This structural shape offers several advantages and is commonly used in modern bridge ’s construction. The traffic load, including vehicles and pedestrians, is transferred through the bridge deck to the RC-ribs, which provide efficient distribution of loads along both the top and bottom flanges, resulting in better load-bearing capacity. RGBDs are known for their suitability to have long spans, which means they can be used for overpassing wide bodies of water or deep valleys. The open cross-sectional shape provides the necessary strength for long spans without excessive weight. On the other side, they may require periodic inspection and maintenance, especially in areas prone to harsh weather conditions or seismic activity. Routine maintenance ensures the longevity and safety of the structure. The bridge can be constructed using various techniques, including cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete segments, or steel fabrication. This paper aims to illustrate the structural analysis and strengthening intervention of the San Mauro ’ s RGBD located at Corigliano Calabro in the south of Italy (Fig. 2), carried out in September-December 2009.

Fig. 2. Lateral view of the San Mauro RGBD before the intervention.

This RGBD structure has undergone various types of decay and deterioration over time due to a combination of factors, including environmental conditions, usage, and construction quality. The main factors are the corrosion of the steel reinforcement and the spalling of the concrete cover (Fig. 3), which are two of the most common and serious issues in RC-structures. It occurs when moisture and oxygen penetrate the concrete, causing the steel to rust. The expansion of rusting steel can lead to cracks and spalling of the concrete cover.