Chemical, Physical, and Mechanical Properties of 95-Year-Old Concrete Built-In Arch Bridge

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the durability and strength of an old concrete built-in arch bridge based on selected mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of the concrete. The bridge was erected in 1925 and is located in Jagodnik (northern Poland). Cylindrical specimens were taken from the side ribs connected to the top plate using a concrete core borehole diamond drill machine. The properties of the old concrete were compared with the present and previous standard requirements and guidelines. The laboratory testing program consisted of the following set of tests: measurements of the depth of carbonated zone and dry density, water absorption tests, determination of concrete compressive strength and frost resistance, determination of modulus of elasticity, measurement of the pH value, determination of water-soluble chloride salt and sulfate ion content, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Large variations in the cylindrical compressive strength (14.9 to 22.0 MPa), modulus of elasticity (17,900 to 26,483 MPa), density (2064 to 2231 kg/m3), and water absorption (3.88 to 6.58%) were observed. In addition to the experiments, a brief literature survey relating to old concrete properties was also conducted. This paper can provide scientists, engineers, and designers an experimental basis in the field of old concrete built-in bridge construction.

Properties of Old Concrete Built in the Former Leipziger Palace

“…123-year-old concrete bridge Paulík [17] Slovakia 107-year-old bridge Rabiega et al [18] Poland 104-year-old bridge Sena-Cruz et al [19] Portugal 100-year-old bridge Słomka-Słupik et al [20] Poland 100-year-old reinforced concrete dome Onysyk et al [21] Poland 100-year-old bridge Witzany and Zigler [22] Czech Republic 100-year-old reinforced concrete flat slab bridge Wolert et al [23] USA 100-year-old reinforced concrete viaduct Jóźwiak-Niedźwiecka and Tucholsk [24] Poland 95-year-old viaduct Hellebois et al ([25,26]) Belgium 95-year-old concrete dam Blanco et al [27] Spain 95-year-old concrete arch bridge Ambroziak and Malinowski [28], Ambroziak et al [29] Poland 90-year old concrete mortar Trägårdh and Lagerblad [30] Sweden 84-year-old reinforced concrete bridge Gebauer and Harni [31] Switzerland 80-year-old reinforced concrete structure Melchers and Chaves [32] Australia 70-years-old concrete office building Ambroziak et al [ The present investigation of old concrete is related to a former palace building, called Leipziger Palace. The former Leipziger Palace in Wrocław (Poland) was built on the site of a riding school, from 1872 to 1874, by the banker Ignacy (Ignatz) Leipziger.…”

“…The investigation program consisted of the following sets of laboratory tests: measurements of dry density, tests of water absorption, specification of concrete compressive strength, specification of frost resistance, determination of modulus of elasticity, measurement of the pH value, determination of water-soluble chloride and sulphate ions, and carrying out X-ray diffraction analyses. It should be noted, that the available tools and laboratory equipment used to perform the present investigation were used in previous laboratory tests on old concretes performed by the authors [29,33]. The authors intend to create a database of the properties of old concrete, and thus the range of applied laboratory tests and the methods used were similar and comparable, but the conclusions and behaviours of the old concrete structures exposed to specific climatic and environmental conditions were different.…”

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Concrete from 20th-Century Architecture Award-Winning Buildings in Lisbon (Portugal): A Contribution to the Knowledge of Their Evolution and Durability

“…Different authors have published several studies [30][31][32] demonstrating the importance of preserving reinforced concrete heritage since the beginning of the 20th century and applying appropriate methodologies to its investigation. A proper assessment of the properties of old concrete is needed to ensure the extended working life and the safe use of old facilities [30].…”

“…Different authors have published several studies [30][31][32] demonstrating the importance of preserving reinforced concrete heritage since the beginning of the 20th century and applying appropriate methodologies to its investigation. A proper assessment of the properties of old concrete is needed to ensure the extended working life and the safe use of old facilities [30]. The study of physical and mechanical characteristics is critical to evaluating the performance of old structures, as demonstrated by Ambroziak et al [30] in a study on the durability of a 95-year-old concrete built-in bridge.…”

“…A proper assessment of the properties of old concrete is needed to ensure the extended working life and the safe use of old facilities [30]. The study of physical and mechanical characteristics is critical to evaluating the performance of old structures, as demonstrated by Ambroziak et al [30] in a study on the durability of a 95-year-old concrete built-in bridge. Sena-Cruz et al [2] studied the physical and chemical characteristics of a reinforced concrete bridge built in 1907.…”