Physical and Chemical State of the Concrete Piers of the Former Franz Joseph Bridge Built in 1891

Abstract:

This article discusses the properties of concrete within the piers of the Old Bridge in Bratislava (former Franz Joseph Bridge). It was the first permanent bridge across the river Danube in Bratislava as well as within the present territory of Slovakia. Mechanical, physical and chemical properties were verified on core drills, some of them being almost 23 m long. The concretes were tested for dynamic and Young’s elasticity module and compressive strengths. Subsequently the fines of concrete specimens were studied by the X-ray diffraction, TG-DTA and mercury intrusion porosimetry techniques and also by chemical analyses and SEM observations. The piers were made from 5 different concrete kinds. The concrete in the caissons and in the piers does not fulfil the criteria for structural concrete defined in the present European standards. This finding seriously suggests that carrying capacity of the piers after the reconstruction of the bridge, without any strengthening would become questionable.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 691)
• Pages: 297-308
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.691.297
• Online since: May 2016
• Authors: Ivan Janotka*, Peter Paulík, Patrik Ševčík, Michal Bačuvčík
• Keywords: Bridge, Concrete, Diagnostics, Mechanical Properties, Microstructure

References

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[4] STN 73 1373, Testing of concrete by hardness testing methods.

[5] STN 73 1371, Method of ultrasonic pulse testing of concrete.

[6] STN EN 12 636, Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures. Test methods. Determination of adhesion concrete to concrete.

DOI: 10.3403/01754754

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[11] STN EN 206-1/NA, Concrete. Part 1: Specification, performance, production and conformity. National Annex.