Influence of Actual Curing Conditions on Mechanical Properties of Concrete in Bridge Superstructures.

This article presents the research on the mechanical characteristics of concrete in the construction of three concrete bridges. A system of recording the internal temperature of concrete and automatic control of laboratory ovens was used for specimen curing. This allowed the specimens to be cured under conditions similar to those occurring in the structure. Before the construction, reference blocks were used to define similar curing conditions. Maximum setting temperatures ranged from 47.6 °C to 62.0 °C and had a favorable effect on the properties of the concrete at an early age. For concretes with the use of CEM I cement, after 3 days of curing, the strength obtained was up to 8.2 MPa (23%) higher than that for specimens cured under standard conditions. The modulus of elasticity was higher up to 4.9 GPa (21%). For concrete with the use of CEM III cement, these differences were 26.9 MPa (174%) and 10.3 GPa (64%), respectively. After 7 days of curing, the results were close to each other and after 14, 28, and 56 days, higher values were obtained for specimens cured under standard conditions. The value of the modulus of elasticity of concrete was determined using the direct method according to Eurocode and the standard A method. A test load of the bridge was carried out to verify the modulus values obtained from laboratory tests. The highest consistency (99%) between the theoretical deflections and those measured in the test load was achieved when using the stabilized modulus values obtained on specimens cured under structure conditions in the FEM model. The research confirms the necessity of determining the mechanical characteristics of concrete with taking into account the curing conditions of concrete in the structure. A procedure for determining the mechanical properties of concrete for the correct construction of a bridge is proposed. These results can also be used in the development of a digital twin for bridge management.

Short and Long Term Measurements in Assessment of FRP Composite Footbridge Behavior.

The paper presents application of different sensors for the purpose of short and long term measurements, as well as a structural health monitoring (SHM) system to assess the behavior of a novel fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) composite footbridge. The aim is to present a thorough and concise description of these sensors networks and results gathered with their aid during in situ measurement of strains, displacements, and vibrations, as only a few works are available in this field. The bridge geometry, material solutions, and properties are described at first. Then the measurement devices composing the system and subsystems of sensors are elaborated on. Subsequently, the bridge research program is described and the results are shown and discussed. Finally, it is concluded that the use of selected sensors is helpful in assessment of the behavior of the novel structure, and moreover in validation of its numerical models. The collected data confirmed many assumptions made during the bridge design process and allowed us to accept it for exploitation.