Integral bridge using the VFT-WIB technology for a three-spanned structure - Economical Bridge Solutions based on Innovative Composite Dowels and Integrated Abutments - page 127

Integral bridge using the VFT-WIB technology for a
three-spanned structure
Edward Petzek 1 , Elena Meteş 2 , Luiza Toma 3 & Radu Băncilă 4
Keywords: VFT-WIB, prefabricated composite beam, composite dowel, integral bridge,
economical bridge solutions.
Abstract: Alongside Romania's main focus direction of the past years regarding the
transportation system, the motorways, which are part of the Pan-European corridors, the
entire road network has to be considered. This is the case of the local road which crosses
over the Bistriţa River, in the village Frânceşti, via a provisory bridge, used as permanent
solution. The bridge does not ensure the safety of its passengers, nor the required clearance.
The conducted expertise concluded that the structure must be replaced. The new bridge to
be built was chosen to be part of the European research project ECOBRIDGE [1]. It is an
three-spanned integral bridge using the VFT-WIB ® technology for its superstructure. This
technology referring to the German “Verbund-Fertigteil-Träger - Walzträger im Beton”
or “prefabricated composite beam - filler beam” was introduced to the market in the last
years. A key feature of the solution is the use of composite dowels for the steel-concrete
connection. Important European research programs such as INTAB [2] or PRECOBEAM
[3] have shown the use of such dowels is efficient and that VFT-WIB ® is suitable to be used
in case of integral bridges, combing the advantages of both technologies.
1. Introduction
The European research project Demonstration of ECOnomical BRIDGE solutions based on
innovative composite dowels and integrated abutments with the short name ECOBRIDGE
[1] has the objective to construct three composite bridges in Romania, Germany and Poland
with integral abutments and/ or composite dowels - an innovative form of shear transmis-
sion. This is a possibility to apply the newest techniques and developments in each participat-
ing country. The bridge at Frânceşti was the second proposal, made by the project members
from Romania, to be part of ECOBRIDGE.