The article deals with the strengthening of reinforced concrete bridges built between 1900-1940, which are still an important part of the road transport infrastructure of the Czech Republic. By choosing the right method of reinforcement, the effective use of the existing structure can be achieved, which meets all the requirements placed on it in terms of the required load capacity. The main goal of the research is the introduction of engineering optimization approaches for the design of the reinforcement system of reinforced concrete bridges by the method of additional prestressing with prestressing cables of the monostrand type guided in spare cable ducts (the method of spare cable ducts = SCDM) made in the original structures of reinforced bridges.
Keywords: strengthening, reinforced concrete bridges, additional prestressing, engineering optimization
Strengthening of the concrete bridges by using the prestressing cables using the engineering optimization
This paper deals with the strengthening of reinforced concrete bridges built between 1900-1940, which still represent an important part of the road infrastructure of the Czech Republic. Selection of the strengthening method for the existing bridges represents an efficient alternative to a complete replacement of the bridge structure, both from the technical and especially from the economic point of view. That plays a significant role in the decision-making process in bridge management. By choosing an appropriate strengthening method, the existing reinforced structure can be used efficiently while meeting all the requirements. The main objective of this research is to introduce engineering optimization approaches to the design of strengthening system for reinforced concrete bridges using the method of post-tensioning with prestressing cables led in substitute cable ducts (substitute cable duct method = SCDM) drilled in the original structures of the strengthened bridges.
Keywords: strengthening, reinforced concrete bridges, post-tensioning, engineering optimization
Citation: Svoboda, A.: Reinforcement of concrete bridges with prestressing cables using engineering optimization. Road Review 87, Number 2, 2026. https://doi.org/10.64720/SO.2026.02.AS01
