Fit for the traffic of the future.
Taubenstein Bridge is on the busy B49 road between Wetzlar and Gießen. Increasing traffic volumes had made it necessary to strengthen the bridge.
Built in 1963 as a pre-stressed concrete construction, Taubenstein Bridge is 320 metres in length and carries the 4-lane highway over the Lahn river and two local roads. The slender bridge has seven spans. Open tie-beam cross-sections in the spans alternate with closed box girder cross-sections in the pillar areas.
As a special technical feature, the use of CFRP lamellae was to be planned to enhance flexural strength. The reinforcement of the bending load-bearing capacity was realised using steel lamellas. Resistance to shear forces was increased by external brackets subsequently cemented into position. The bearings on the abutments were replaced.
In addition, a complete remediation of the structure was carried out with the renewal of bridge coverings, caps and protective systems as well as the drainage of the roadway. All the works on the bridge took place while road traffic flows on one of the two lanes.
These building works made the structure fit again for at least the next 20 years.
© Markus Lenz, BIN, BIN, BIN, BIN, BIN, BIN, Markus Lenz
