Concrete Examination of 100-Year-Old Bridge Structure above the Kłodnica River Flowing through the Agglomeration of Upper Silesia in Gliwice: A Case Study

Abstract

The article analyzes the composition of concrete taken from various elements from a 100-year-old bridge in South Poland, so as to analyze its technical condition. The main methods applied during experimental work were: Designation of pH, free chloride content, salinity, XRD and SEM examinations, as well as metals determination using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP­MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ICP-MS, and cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). The concrete of the bridge was strongly carbonated and decalcified with an extremely high content of chlorides. The pH of the concrete was in a range from 10.5 to 12.0. Acid soluble components were between 9.9% and 17.6%. Typical sulfate corrosion phases of concrete were not detected. Friedels’ salt was found only at the extremity of an arch. The crown block was corroded to the greatest extent. Various heavy metals were absorbed into the concrete, likely from previous centuries, when environmental protection policy was poor. The applied research methodology can be used on bridges exposed to specific external influences. The acquired knowledge can be useful in the management processes of the bridge infrastructure. It can help in making decisions about decommissioning or extending the life cycle of the bridge. This work should also sensitize researchers and decision-makers to the context of “bridge safety”.

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.…”

Verification of Precast Concrete Girder Bridge Under Static Load

“…However, their application requires the assumption of, for example, material and geometric properties which can differ from reality [6] where also the complex nature of concrete mechanics may play an essential role [7]. Therefore, the testing of the new structure is a very important part of the above-mentioned process which should be added between construction and service [8,9].…”