Composite concrete continuous bridges with external prestressing. Bridge over the Turia River in Valencia

Abstract

It is porposed a new structural typology ofor continuous bridges, using external prestressing (added or not to the internal one) applied to the members of the bridge before the concrete deck slab casting. The general concept searches many targets: -Prestressing reduction with increasing of its efficiency in the regions that really need it in order to strength and durability. -Easier construction, due to elimination of longitudinal prestressing in the deck slab (that usually requires very high forces with wide anchorage and transfer problems). -Increasing the capability of precast systems in long spans. It is completed with aplication results to a bridge under construction over the Turia river.