In the NINA project, AIT is working with partners to research new methods for diagnosing, assessing and conducting life cycle assessments of prestressed concrete bridges
Due to its topography, Austria has a dense network of bridge structures. Many of these structures have now been in operation for several decades and will reach the end of their normal service life in the next twenty years. At the same time, traffic volumes are increasing, and with them the number of load cycles to be endured. Prestressed concrete bridges are particularly affected: the tendons inside the concrete are susceptible to corrosion, cannot be inspected visually and therefore pose a safety risk. The challenge is twofold: on the one hand, existing structures must remain reliably usable for much longer, and on the other hand, sustainability issues are becoming increasingly important in bridge construction. The use of recycled concrete and clinker-reduced cements is considered promising, but has not yet been comprehensively investigated. This makes new diagnostic tools, prediction models and sustainability assessments indispensable.