Nonmetallic reinforcement at the cap widening of Carola Bridge in Dresden

The Carola Bridge (Carolabrücke), built in 1971, has a length of approximately 375 m and takes the tram and the B 170 federal road in Dresden across the river Elbe. The intensive use of the bridge and deficits in user-friendliness made building measures inevitable. One part was the widening of the upstream bridge cap. Here, the application of a new nonmetallic reinforcement within the concrete cover was planned to improve the service life of the cap, a so far unique method. Based on an installation test and an investigation of the cracking behavior, both described in the paper, two reinforcement configurations were selected for practical application. The project provides an ideal opportunity to bring carbon and basalt reinforcements closer to the public and to demonstrate their cast in during normal operation on a concrete construction site.