Construction of a cable-stayed bridge with recycled concrete in Valencia (Spain)

Title: Construction of a cable-stayed bridge with recycled concrete in Valencia (Spain)
Author(s): J. de M. Sánchez, P. Alaejos, A. Domingo, C. Lázaro and F. López
Paper category : conference
Book title: 2nd International RILEM Conference on Progress of Recycling in the Built Environment
Editor(s): V.M. John, E. Vazquez, S.C. Angulo, C. Ulsen
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-122-3
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2011
Pages: 321 - 331
Total Pages: 11
Nb references: 3
Language: English

Abstract: This paper describes a structural recycled concrete pilot project consisting in a cable-stayed bridge of reinforced concrete (145 m long), over the Turia River located in Valencia (Spain), which has been recently completed, replacing an old concrete structure that was demolished.
In this project the concrete from the old structure has been used as recycled aggregate for concreting the slab of the new bridge.

CEDEX has given technical assistance during both the project and the execution of the works in those aspects related with the recycled materials.

Technical Specifications to be fulfilled by the recycled concrete were established at the project stage. In situ tests were carried out in the old bridge to get information about the quality of the different concretes (piles, slabs, beams etc), in order to select those elements of better concrete quality, to produce the recycled aggregate.

Previous tests were made in the Laboratory and the concrete plant to fit final mix design.
Also control tests were carried out during the works, to verify that the recycled concrete (HA-35 with 20% of recycled aggregate) satisfied Technical Specifications. Consistency, strength, elasticity, shrinkage, carbonation and water penetration depth were measured, obtaining good results in all cases.

During the execution of the works some special aspects were controlled (placing, compaction, weather conditions and curing of concrete), proving that is possible to use recycled concrete in structural applications with up to 20 % of recycled concrete aggregate, in the same conditions than for conventional concrete.

Online publication: 2012-02-08
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00