Fasstbridge methodology and strengthening system: The Jarama Bridge experience

Steel bridges present frequent fatigue problems that reduce their load-carrying capacity and residual life. The increase of traffic flows and loads in the last decades has enhanced this problem, especially on ageing structures. This phenomenon is very dangerous because a conventional structural stress analysis might result in misleading conclusions about safety. In Europe, 15% of the 300 000 bridges are made of steel or concrete-steel composite structures, and approximately 68% of them need structural interventions. In the USA, figures are quite similar. Having this in mind, in November 2015, the ERA-NET Plus project FASSTBRIDGE was launched aiming at developing a complete methodology including a calculation method for assessing the remaining life of steel bridge in terms of fatigue, a designing and applying method for the strengthening intervention, and a strengthening system relying on the use of adhesively bonded CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer). The paper presents the FASSTbridge methodology and strengthening system, which have been designed to work with codes based on The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) or the European Union's Eurocode and its implementation in Jarama Bridge (Madrid, Spain).