What Means External Prestressing for an Old Gerber Structure

Abstract The bridge over the Timis River in Albina, assures the connection between the city of Timisoara and Lugoj through the city of Buzias, facilitating the access to the county capital for the inhabitants of this area. Due to the important economical development of this region, DJ 592 represents an artery with a special role for maintaining the social-economical connections in this part of the Timis county, but also a viable alternative for the DN 6 route linking Timisoara to Lugoj. In order to provide normal traffic conditions on the bridge, works have been designed to increase the loading class to E level (trucks A30 and special vehicles V80), under 2 lane gauge conditions. This aim modified the static schema of the bridge from a Gerber structure in a longitudinal and vertical prestressed continuous beam. The gauge was obtained by realizing a reinforced concrete slab, over the existing one (overlay).