Title: Old Flames Speak Well of Young Concrete

Author(s): Peter Smith

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 92

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 33-46

Keywords: arch bridges; concrete construction; damage; fire resis-tance; fires; nondestructive tests; performance; repairs; shotcrete

DOI: 10.14359/6511

Date: 6/1/1986

Abstract:
A major three span highway bridge in Southern Ontario was 1nvYived in a construction fire while it was being widened 25 years ago. Concrete, ranging in age from 6 days to 20 years, in an abutment, the adjacent arch rings and spandrel columns was severely damaged. The structure is now revisited to assess the long term performance of the remedial works and to consider whether the investigation and repairs might have taken a different course if today's testing, analytical and repair techniques had been available then. The strengthening of the damaged arch springings and the shotcrete restored concrete sections exposed to a harsh environment have stood the test of time. The review of investigative and repair methods identifies advances made in recent years, and justifies long term confidence in o'lder procedures which are still in use.