EXTERNAL PRESTRESSING FOR BRIDGE REPAIR: THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE

A dramatic demand of resources is expected in the next years in Italy to repair or to upgrade the existing bridges, the majority being built about 30 years ago. Most bridges have ordinary or prestressed concrete decks. In many cases, the external prestressing gave the most appropriate solution, especially after large-scale production of sheathed and greased strands. Details and examples of bridges repaired with this technique are given.