Demonstration of ECOnomical BRIDGE solutions based on innovative composite dowels and integrated abutments - Economical Bridge Solutions based on Innovative Composite Dowels and Integrated Abutments - page 7

PE4 bridge in Poland

The owner of the Polish bridge is General Directorate of National Roads and Motorways
(GDDKiA) - the governmental institution administrating net of main Polish roads and mo-
torways. For purposes of this project PreCoBeam technology was implemented to achieve
better economic results - the idea was to use constant height of prefabricated girder but
finally variable height of section at final stage.
The structural solution is a 4-span composite frame 17+22+22+17 m. It is realised by
VFT technology and halved HEB1000/S355M sections, hence VFTWIB technology is used.
For purposes of this project new technology (and modifications in VFTWIB technology)
were implemented to achieve better economic results - the idea was to use constant height of
prefabricated girder but finally variable height of section at final stage. It assumes additional
calculation phase of girder (3 stages of concrete slab) but in fact the same number of steps
at site - as additional slab (between prefabricated and final in-situ) is realised together with
crossbeam. With this solution it was possible to achieve big lever arm at support to handle
load of final in-situ slab and no cracks check at SLS was needed for reinforcement in this
additional layer of concrete, so it could be highly tensioned. Variable constructional height
resulted in elimination of influence of global action for design of steel dowels as level of
shear connection is closed to level of neutral axis (at final stage).

Figure 4: PE4 bridge in Poland - PreCoBeam technology

Another 5 bridges have been built in Poland, proving that the PreCoBeam technology is
a cost effective, environmental friendly and sustainable solution for bridges.

P11 bridge in Romania

The owner of the Romanian bridge is the Romanian National Company of Motorways and
National Roads C.N.A.D.N.R. After a series of financial problems the Romanian team de-
cided to enter the project also with a PreCoBeam solution. Through systemic analysis of the
bearing capacity of composite dowel bars, they nowadays find a large application area in the
field of bridge construction. A further development of the PreCoBeam (VFT ® ) construction
method represents the development of the connection between concrete and steel eliminat-
ing the classical headed studs with concrete dowels; also the steel upper flange is detached.
In this sense a new SSF system of precast composite girders was developed and introduced
in Romania. This flexible system was conceived for middle spans and different situations