First experiences with concrete screw anchors as postinstalled shear reinforcement in concrete bridges

Due to growing traffic volume and more restrictive design standards, structural engineers require new strengthening systems for concrete structures. Especially the level of calculated shear reinforcement has increased with the introduction of the Eurocode standards. Therefore, new methods to improve the shear strength of existing structures are needed. Concrete screws are used as a fastening system in concrete. Due to the mechanical connection, a very robust bond between the reinforcement element and the concrete is given. The new idea is to use these anchoring elements as postinstalled shear reinforcement. To show the usability and enhancements of the new method, several test series with concrete girders have been performed at the University of Innsbruck. Using concrete screws in several different configurations all test beams showed a remarkable increase in shear-load capacity. With a new design approach derived from the test results it was possible to apply the new system to several pilot-projects. One slab bridge built in the 1970s was strengthened to the load level according to Eurocode. Another pilot-project was realized at a railway bridge with a two span concrete box girder. This bridge was built with tendons vulnerable to stress corrosion cracking. To ensure a ductile failure, strengthening was necessary which was realized with concrete screws under ongoing traffic on and underneath the bridge. Currently a shear strengthening of a city tunnel in the central area of Munich is planned. In the roof slab about 7000 concrete screws are projected to be installed as shear and bending strengthening system.