Damage due to heavy traffic on three RC road bridges

An investigation of the damage caused by road traffic on three reinforced concrete bridges was performed. This study was performed with a focus on the determination of the damage induced by heavy vehicles in relation to the damage caused by average everyday traffic. A damage model based on fatigue of reinforcement bars was employed. The stress cycles in the reinforcement bars were determined using measurements of the crack widths under traffic loading. Stress cycles were analyzed using the Rainflow Method and Miner’s Rule was employed to gain a measurement for the damage. Monitoring systems were installed on each of the three bridges and operated for several weeks continuously to collect input data for the damage model. Computer software was developed to process the monitoring data in the sense of the damage model. The described methodology was developed and used for the first time in the described project.Heavy traffic was shown to cause a disproportionate high portion of the overall damage on all three bridges. The obtained results indicated that the damage caused by singular events, such as the passage of a heavy vehicle, in relation to the damaging effects of every-day traffic differed significantly between the considered bridges. For one of the bridges the greatest damage from singular traffic events was computed for passages of special transport vehicles. The same bridge was also found to display the highest damage by a single passage in relation to average everyday traffic. Passages of short and heavy trucks with four and five axles were identified as the most detrimental traffic events on the other two bridges.     

Rechnerische Beurteilung der Schubtragfähigkeit einer Spannbetonbrücke mit geringem Querkraft bewehrungsgrad

Assessment of the shear strength of an existing post‐tensioned concrete bridge with a low amount of shear reinforcement – First application of the ”Flexural Shear Crack“ model in practice In recent years it was reported several times, that within a static assessment according to current standards the shear strength of post‐tensioned bridges, which were built in Austria before 1989, cannot be fulfilled any more. However, test results prove, that especially prestressed structures have additional load bearing capacities, which cannot be reproduced with current calculation models. In the framework of a pilot project a new developed shear model (Flexural Shear Crack Model) was used. In this paper the approach as well as the main results of a statical reevaluation of an existing post‐tensioned road bridge at the Tauern Autobahn A10 will be presented.     

Durchstanzmodell für Flachdecken mit Faserverbundbewehrung und großen Aussparungen in Stützennähe

Punching Model for Flat Slabs with FRP Reinforcement and large Openings near the supporting Surface Flat slabs with tension bars using glass‐ or carbon fiber reinforced polymer have a substantial lower punching load capacity then conventional steel reinforced plates. This is caused by the dependence of the shear force transportation on the stiffness and therefore on the elastic modulus of the reinforcement, after concrete is cracked: For glass fiber reinforced polymer the elastic modulus has an amount of approximately 35000 N/mm², which isn't more then one sixth of the steel value. Until now designing rules for concrete don't take into account this influence. Following a new developed punching model will be presented, that compared with DIN 1045 [2] and DIN 1045‐1 [3] directly includes the elastic modulus of the bending reinforcement and that also applicates the reduction of the punching load capacity by openings near the supporting surface in a realistic way.     

Entwicklung eines baupraktischen Näherungsverfahrens zur Beurteilung der Zuverlässigkeit von Massivbrücken auf der Grundlage der Ergebnisse von Bauwerksüberprüfungen

Im vorliegenden Teil 2 des Beitrags wird die Entwicklung des baupraktischen Näherungsverfahrens für die Beurteilung der Zuverlässigkeit von Massivbrücken im Rahmen der RI‐EBW‐PRÜF vorgestellt. Wesentlicher Inhalt ist dabei die Modellierung der Modellunsicherheit Bauwerksprüfer, da die Bewertung der Mängel und Schäden an einem Brückenbauwerk durch den jeweiligen Bauwerksprüfer einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die Zustandsbewertung hat. Zudem wird auf die Dimensionsanalyse von Grenzzustandsfunktionen näher eingegangen, da damit bei geschickter Normierung eine allgemein gültige Anwendung des Verfahrens erreicht werden kann. Die Anwendung des Verfahrens erfolgt mit einem Software‐Tool, das abschließend vorgestellt wird. In Teil 1 des Beitrags wurden die Grundlagen des Verfahrens sowie die Entwicklung der veränderten stochastischen Material‐ und Geometrieparameter infolge Schädigung behandelt. Development of an Approximation Procedure for a Structural Reliability Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Bridges on the Basis of the Results from Bridge Inspection Part 2 of the paper shows the development of the approximation procedure for the reliability assessment of reinforced concrete bridges according to RI‐EBW‐PRÜF. An essential part of this is the development carried out by the model uncertainty bridge inspector, as the respective bridge inspector's individual assessment of the damage of a bridge has a decisive influence on the condition evaluation. Furthermore, the dimensional analyses of ultimate limit states are shown, as the general use of the developed methodology can be achieved with an ingenious standardization. The application of the procedure with the developed software tool is presented in conclusion. Part 1 of the two papers describes the basics of the methodology and shows the development of the stochastic models for the material and geometry parameters which have changed as a result of damage.     

使用年限为50年的下承式混凝土桥梁的非线性有限元分析

将足尺梁(rnskldsvik桥,瑞士)的非线性有限元模型与荷载试验进行分析比较。为确定桥梁的承载力,进行了1次基于欧盟基金项目——"可持续桥梁:评估未来交通需求与延长使用寿命"的倒塌试验,该有限元模型介绍了新型的材料本构关系模型。根据桥梁的特性,对4种材料分别建模:混凝土、钢筋、碳纤维加强筋和钢/混凝土界面。以不可逆热力学理论为基础,构建了混凝土材料的损伤力学模型。这确保与经典力学理论保持一致性。钢筋和碳纤维加强筋采用经典等向硬化弹塑性本构模型。钢/混凝土界面假定会发生锈蚀。数值分析结果与试验结果相吻合。基于该有限元模型,研究均匀腐蚀引起材料的局部退化。引起局部退化的原因有2个:钢筋有效界面的减少和钢/混凝土界面粘结强度退化。尽管缺少桥梁腐蚀方面的文献资料,但是此研究成果仍然有价值,可采用文献中的试验数据对其进一步验证。     

Spannglieder mit Kunststoffhüllrohren zur Herstellung von Brücken ohne Betonstahlbewehrung

Tendons with Plastic Ducts for Bridges without Mild Steel Reinforcement Frequently the conventional sealing of concrete bridges does not show a satisfactory serviceability in practice. Imperfect sealing leads to chloride entry into the structure because of bending cracks in the upper side of bridges in the range of negative moments. If a road passes under a bridge, there is the risk of chloride entry caused by salt fog spread on the surface of the bridge. In addition to the restoration liability of the sealing the pavement requires regular repair work. This periodic repair work causes high costs and affects the traffic flow. The method presented in this paper is characterized by omitting corrosion‐sensitive reinforcement and by integrating the pavement in the structure. The aim is to create concrete bridges with improved durability which can be manufactured with comparable costs to conventional concrete bridges. The results of experimental tests on the structural behavior of such structures will be presented.     

Grundlagen und Entwicklung von stochastischen Modellen zur Beurteilung der Schädigung von Massivbrücken auf der Grundlage der Ergebnisse von Bauwerksüberprüfungen

In zwei Beiträgen wird ein auf der Zuverlässigkeitstheorie basierendes probabilistisches Verfahren für eine schnelle Bewertung der Tragfähigkeit eines geschädigten Stahlbetonbrückenbauwerks vorgestellt. Es ersetzt keine statische Nachberechnung, unterstützt jedoch den Bauwerksprüfer noch während der Prüfung gemäß DIN 1076 und lässt eine schnelle Entscheidung über die Art und Weise einer ggf. erforderlichen Nutzungseinschränkung noch vor einer Nachberechnung zu. Mit dem Verfahren ist es möglich, eine verbesserte Bewertung über die Auswirkung von Schäden und Mängeln an Stahlbetonbrücken auf deren Tragfähigkeit im Rahmen einer handnahen visuellen Bauwerksprüfung zu erreichen. Teil 1 behandelt die Grundlagen des Verfahrens sowie die Entwicklung der veränderten stochastischen Material‐ und Geometrieparameter infolge Schädigung. In Teil 2 wird die Modellunsicherheit “Bauwerksprüfer” sowie das baupraktische Näherungsverfahren für eine Anwendung im Rahmen der RI‐EBW‐PRÜF vorgestellt. Basics and Development of Stochastic Models for a Structural Reliability Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Bridges on the Basis of the Results from Bridge Inspection A probabilistic method based on the reliability theory allows a quick assessment of the load bearing capacity of damaged reinforced concrete bridges. The aim is to support the bridge inspection engineer during the bridge inspection according to DIN 1076 and not to replace a static recalculation. It should allow a quick decision as to whether or not a restriction of the crossing traffic is necessary. With this method it is possible to achieve a better assessment of the influence of damages on reinforced concrete bridges which are seen in a visual bridge inspection. Part 1 of the two papers describes the basics of the methodology and shows the development of the stochastic models for the material and geometry parameters which have changed as a result of damage. In Part 2 the model uncertainty for the bridge inspector and the practical use in accordance with the RI‐EBW‐PRÜF are shown.     

Schlanke Fußgängerbrücke aus Textilbeton

In Albstadt‐Lautlingen wurde eine ältere Fußgängerbrücke aus Stahlbeton durch eine elegante Brücke aus Textilbeton ersetzt. Durch die Kombination von textilbewehrtem Beton mit einer Vorspannung ohne Verbund ließ sich eine für Betontragwerke außergewöhnliche Schlankheit erzielen. Die 97 m lange Brücke über die Bundesstraße B 463 besteht aus sechs Fertigteilen, die bei einer Elementlänge von 17,2 m eine Bauhöhe von 43 cm aufweisen. Im Beitrag werden Konstruktion, Bemessung und insbesondere das Schwingungsverhalten beschrieben. Die Untersuchungen zu den verwendeten Baustoffen sowie zum Tragverhalten und zur Dauerhaftigkeit finden sich in einem separaten Beitrag in diesem Heft. A Pedestrian Bridge Made of Textile Reinforced Concrete The pedestrian bridge over a state road in Albstadt, Germany, had to be torn down due to immense corrosion damages of the steel reinforcement and was replaced by a new bridge. The design of the new bridge allows a slender and durable construction with high demands on the concrete surface. The bridge with a total length of 97 m is subdivided in six prefabricated parts with a maximum element length of 17,2 m and a span of L_s = 15 m. The height of only 43 cm is possible by using the innovative composite material textile reinforced concrete. Thus, a slenderness of L_s/H = 35 and an extreme slender bridge construction is achieved. Due to the non‐corrosive textile reinforcement a very small concrete cover is possible and, thus, webs and cantilever arms can be designed very thin. The paper describes the construction, design and dynamic behaviour. A report on materials, load bearing behaviour and on the durability is available as a separate paper in this issue.     

Erfahrungen bei der Beurteilung der Dauerhaftigkeit vorgespannter Bewehrung von älteren Spannbetonbrücken

Experiences due to the evaluation of the durability of prestressed reinforcements in old prestressed concrete bridges. Old prestressed concrete bridge superstructures exhibiting cracks across the prestressed reinforcement need detailed inspections for estimating maintenance requirements. Only this type of evaluation makes it possible to determine the required extent and nature of maintenance. In this paper essential steps of the “Directive of the durability of prestressed reinforcements in old prestressed concrete bridge superstructures” of the Federal Highway Research Institute are explained, also against the effects of growing heavy traffic with expected higher gross weights and axle loads.     

Zur Schadensverteilung des durch Spannungsriss korrosion geschädigten vergüteten Spannstahls bei Brückenbauwerken

Die Aussagekraft der rechnerischen Untersuchung zur Abschätzung des Gefährdungspotentials infolge Spannungsrisskorrosion hängt entscheidend von den Annahmen zu Schädigungsverlauf und —verteilung des Spannstahls ab. Mit systematischer Untersuchung des aus einem Bauwerk entnommenen Spannstahls konnte festgestellt werden, dass die bisher angenommene Schadenskonzentration an einer Stelle, welche zum Ausfall des gesamten Spannglieds führt, sehr wenig wahrscheinlich ist. Viel wahrscheinlicher ist die drahtweise Schädigung mit unbegrenzter Anzahl der Risse über die gesamte Drahtlänge. Weiterhin ist keine Korrelation zwischen chemischer Zusammensetzung des Spannstahls bzw. zwischen Zusammensetzung des Verpressmörtels und der Versprödung des Spannstahls feststellbar. Weitere Untersuchungen zur Bestätigung der gewonnenen Ergebnisse sind wünschenswert. Damage distribution of hardened and tempered prestressing steel dues to stress corrosion in prestressed concrete bridges. The accuracy of the analysis to estimate the hazard potential due to the stress corrosion depends strongly on the assumption of the damage distribution and the damage progress of the prestressing steel in the constructions. Through a systematic test of the prestressing steel, which is taken from an old bridge, it is shown that the traditional assumption of a damage concentration with the breakdown of the whole tendon is less probable. Instead, the damage of single wires over its total length with unlimited number of cracks is considerably more probable. Furthermore, no correlation between the chemical compositions or mixtures of the grout and the brittleness of the prestressing steel is found. More investigations to check these results obtained in this study are preferable.     

Monitoring der neuen Schrägseilbrücke über den Chao Phraya,Nonthaburi, Thailand

Monitoring of the new cable‐stayed bridge over the Chao Phraya, Nonthaburi, Thailand To the north of Bangkok (Thailand), a new motorway section has been realized in recent years to relieve the surrounding routes in Nonthaburi Province, whose main characteristic is an extra‐dosed bridge over the Chao Phraya river with a total length of 460 m. The building consists of two pylons with golden domes and 96 stay cables carrying a box girder cross‐section designed for six lanes across the river. To monitor the structural behavior of the bridge an extensive monitoring system was awarded by the client to DYWIDAG Systems International GmbH in cooperation of Schimetta Consult who have optimized, designed and realized the system. 45 sensors are monitoring permanently temperatures, strains and deflections of the bridge, inclinations of the pylons, movements of the expansion joints, wind velocities, accelerations and cable forces. The data are automatically stored on site, provided via a UMTS connection to an external server within a few minutes, enabling continuous display of the signals on a homepage for easy access by the client. In addition, the measurement data are being summarized on a half‐year base and the results are submitted to the clients by a measurement report. The monitoring system is continuously acquiring data since opening of the structure early 2015 to regular traffic, enabling a very good insight to the structural behaviour.     

Beurteilung der Tragfähigkeit von geschädigten Stahlbetonbrücken auf der Grundlage der Ergebnisse einer Bauwerksprüfung

Structural Reliability Assessment of Damaged Reinforced Concrete Bridges on the Basis of the Results from a Bridge Inspection The regular bridge inspection is of high importance for the reliable use of the infrastructure. This paper describes and explains a method with supports the engineers of a bridge inspection in the assessment of the damaged bridges during or directly after the inspection. Based on this initial estimate the urgent measures i.e. a lower permitted bridge class can still be carried out before more detailed inspections and calculations have been done. The reliability analyses for the damaged bridges are carried out using first order and second order reliability method (FORM and SORM). The probability of failure, p_f or the safety index, of the system respectively are the main results of the calculation procedure. This paper shows the approach and the application with an example. Particularly in the communal sector the method can be helpful, because it can not be assumed that in all cases the regular bridge inspections and the appropriate maintenance have been carried out.     

Entwurf und Konstruktion der Egg‐Graben Brücke

Aufgrund der hohen Erhaltungskosten von Brücken gibt es mittlerweile unterschiedliche Ansätze, um die Dauerhaftigkeit zu erhöhen. Vorgespannte Brücken ohne Betonstahl stellen hierfür einen neuen Ansatz dar. Zur Erforschung des Tragverhaltens solcher Strukturen wurde ein Forschungsprojekt gestartet und Großversuche durchgeführt. Die Landesbaudirektion Salzburg war von dieser innovativen Idee überzeugt und hat deshalb die Technologie beim Bau der Egg‐Graben Brücke ausgeschrieben. Die Egg‐Graben Brücke ist eine im Grundriss gekrümmte Bogenbrücke mit einer Länge von 50 m. Nach einer Bauzeit von 18 Monaten erfolgte im November 2009 die Freigabe für den Verkehr. Der vorliegende Aufsatz beschreibt die Technologie, den Entwurf sowie die beim Bau der Brücke gesammelte Erfahrung. Design and Construction of the Egg‐Graben Bridge Due to the high maintenance costs of bridges, there are now various approaches to enhance the durability. Post tensioned bridges without steel reinforcement represent one of these approaches. To investigate the structural behaviour of such constructions, a research project was started and large‐scale tests were carried out. The government of the province of Salzburg could be convinced of this innovative technology and tendered out the method for the construction of the Egg‐Graben Bridge. For the arch bridge, which is curved in plan, the superstructure is prestressed without using further steel reinforcement. After a construction period of 18 months the bridge was opened to traffic in November 2009. The paper describes the technology, the design and the experience gained from the construction of the bridge.     

Großversuch WILD‐Brücke – versuchsgestützte Bemessung einer UHPC‐Bogenbrücke

Full‐Scale Experiment Bridge WILD – Design of an UHPC Arch Bridge based on Experiments The outstanding durability of UHPC makes this material predestined for the construction of bridges. In Austria UHPC is introduced into the practice of road bridges through the realisation of the bridge WILD. The cross section of the arch, which spans 70 m, is just 6 cm thick and doesn't contain any passive reinforcement. The design is based on international recommendations on the one hand and on specific experiments on the other hand. This paper deals with the evaluation of two full‐scale laboratory tests. The setup is configured for getting a broad field of results as it is necessary for approval tests. In this way, all critical design states, which are also determined by calculation, are investigated experimentally. Furthermore, the experiments cover secondary effects, which don't have any verification through practical experience but can clearly be seen in FE‐results. The test results are carefully interpreted and explained by the use of simple mechanical models. The final examination of the results is figured out by means of comparison between calculation and experiment.     

Versuche zur Ermüdungsfestigkeit alter Betonstähle

Die Frage der Ermüdungssicherheit hat im Zusammenhang mit der Überprüfung bestehender Stahlbetonbauwerke, insbesondere Brücken, an Aktualität gewonnen. Während auf der Einwirkungsseite die Anzahl der Lastwechsel und die Lasten, die die Brücke im Laufe ihres Lebens erfahren hat, von Bedeutung sind, sind es auf der Widerstandsseite die Genauigkeit des Tragwerkmodells und die Materialkennwerte. Mit Letzteren befasst sich dieser Aufsatz. Der wichtigste Parameter auf der Widerstandsseite ist die Ermüdungsfestigkeit des Betonstahls. Mittels Dauerschwingversuchen wurde die Ermüdungsfestigkeit von vier Betonstahlsorten ermittelt. Zwei Sorten stammen von abgebrochenen Brücken aus den 1950er Jahren; zwei weitere sind kürzlich produzierte Sorten von Ring‐ und Stabmaterial der Betonstahlsorte B 500 B. Das Ziel der Versuche bestand darin, festzustellen, ob das Alter einer Stahlbetonkonstruktion einen Einfluss auf die Ermüdungsfestigkeit des Betonstahls hat. Im Aufsatz werden die Problematik beim Nachweis der Ermüdungssicherheit bestehender Brücken kurz geschildert, die Versuche beschrieben und deren Resultate diskutiert. Fatigue Tests with Old Reinforcing Steels Recently, fatigue safety has become an issue with respect to surveying the condition of existing structures, in particular bridges. While questions considering traffic loads and frequencies dominate the calculations of the appropriate load scenarios, the accuracy of the structural model and material properties play a vital role for the calculation of the resistance. This article deals with the latter. The most important parameter on the resistance side is the fatigue strength of the reinforcement. Therefore, fatigue strength of four brands of reinforcing steel was determined in fatigue tests. Two brands of reinforcement bars could be gathered during demolition work of two bridges which were built in the 1950ies. Another two brands of new reinforcing steel B 500 B, a rod‐steel and a steel from the roll, were tested. The aim of the tests was to prove whether age and environment of the built‐in reinforcement bars affect their fatigue resistance or not. The article briefly describes the difficulties with verifying the fatigue safety of existing bridges while the main part deals with the experimental work and the discussion of the test results.     

Feldversuche mit dem Brückenklappverfahren

Field Tests with the Balanced Lift Method As a counterpart to the lowering arch construction method the “balanced lift method” for bridge girders is suggested. The bridge girders can be built in combination with the pier using climbing forms in a vertical position. Therefore, during the production no bending stresses are generated in the girders. Thus, the balanced lift method allows lower costs and a shorter construction time than the traditional balanced cantilever method. The span of the bridge girders is reduced by the compression struts or tension ties which results in substantial savings in construction materials compared to the balanced cantilever method for bridge construction. The proposed method will be especially advantageous for bridges with high piers. The range of the span length for the application of the balanced lift method ranges between 50 m and 250 m.     

Instandsetzung einer Betonbrücke mit Walzträgern nach dem Prinzip des Kathodischen Korrosionsschutzes

Für die Instandsetzung chloridbelasteter Stahlbetonbauwerke muss bei den so genannten konventionellen Verfahren oftmals Beton in großer Tiefe abgetragen werden. Dies verursacht hohe Kosten, stellt einen erheblichen Eingriff in das Bauwerk dar und führt nicht zuletzt zu Nutzungseinschränkungen während der Instandsetzung. Aus diesem Grund gewinnt der Kathodische Korrosionsschutz (KKS) von Stahl in Beton, eine zum Großteil zerstörungsfreie Instandsetzungsmethode, als wirtschaftliches Instandsetzungsverfahren korrosionsgefährdeter bzw.‐geschädigter Bauteile zunehmend an Bedeutung. Nachfolgend wird die Instandsetzung der Brücke über den Auer Mühlbach in München mit KKS beschrieben. Das Tragsystem der Auer Mühlbachbrücke besteht aus einbetonierten Walzträgern, die mit diskreten Einzelanoden geschützt wurden. Auf Grund der sehr hohen Überschüttung und der verkehrlichen Bedeutung dieser Brücke war der KKS besonders vorteilhaft anwendbar, da es während der gesamten Instandsetzung keinerlei Einschränkungen des Verkehrs gab. Repair of a Concrete‐Bridge with Rolled Section Beams applying the Principle of Cathodic Protection When repairing reinforced concrete structures containing chlorides by conventional methods, it is often necessary to remove the concrete to great depths. This causes high costs and leads to a significant intervention of the structure, combined with a limitation of use whilst repair measures. This is the reason why Cathodic Protection (CP) of reinforcement in concrete is gaining importance as predominantly non‐destructive, costeffective repair measure of structures susceptible to or damaged by corrosion. Consecutively the repair measure of the bridge over the Auer Mühlbach in Munich using CP is described. The load bearing system of the bridge of Auer Mühlbach consists of rolled section steel beams, which are protected using discrete anodes. Due to the high ground cover and the high importance to the intra‐urban traffic, the application of CP was in particular advantageously as the traffic has not been limited whilst the repair measure.     

Fuß‐ und Radwegbrücke aus Carbonbeton in Albstadt‐Ebingen

Pedestrian bridge made from carbon‐concrete in Albstadt‐Ebingen – First entirely carbon‐reinforced concrete bridge worldwide The bridge erected in Albstadt‐Ebingen in October 2015 is realized without any steel reinforcement or pre‐tensioning, making it the world's first entirely carbon‐reinforced concrete bicycle and pedestrian‐bridge. The trough section with material thicknesses of 70 mm (trough walls) and 90 mm (slab) respectively has been fabricated as monolithic pre‐cast element. With a span length of 15 m and a width of 3 m, the bridge‐deck requires no further coating and has a total weight of just 14 tons (approximately 310 kg/m2); this is about 50 % of comparable conventional reinforced concrete bridge‐decks. Besides material and weight savings, an exceptionally long service life with minimal maintenance can be expected, as the steel corrosion that is typical in reinforced concrete structures can be entirely avoided. Since the use of carbon‐reinforced concrete (carbon concrete) is not yet approved in Germany, the client had to obtain approval based on individual cases (ZiE).     

Gestalten von Eisenbahnbrücken

Design of railway bridges. Railway bridges are high performance structures concerning their load bearing capacity, durability and serviceability. But high demands of usage and loading combined with the special conditions of building technology under continuing traffic led to a lack of aesthetic bridge design during the last decades. The structures of infrastructure, and in particular bridges, are large and tend to dominate their natural or urban environments. Bridges must, therefore, meet high levels of aesthetic and design value in addition to meeting the basic requirements of providing safety, functionality and economic solutions. Two years ago an advisory board for bridge design was established to support the Deutsche Bahn in making considerable improvements to the aesthetic and design quality of bridges promoting innovation in bridge design and construction.     

Tragverhalten und Dauerhaftigkeit einer schlanken Textilbetonbrücke

Auf der Schwäbischen Alb wurde eine ältere Fußgängerbrücke aus Stahlbeton durch eine neue Brücke aus Textilbeton ersetzt, die durch die Kombination von textilbewehrtem Beton und einer Vorspannung ohne Verbund eine außergewöhnliche Schlankheit erreicht. Bei einer Betondeckung von nur 1,5 cm für die Bewehrung aus technischen Textilien war ein im Vergleich zu Stahlbetonbauteilen ungewöhnlich filigraner mehrstegiger Plattenbalkenquerschnitt als Überbau ausführbar. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag werden Untersuchungen zu den Werkstoffen, zum Tragverhalten und zur Dauerhaftigkeit vorgestellt. Das Tragwerk, die Bemessung und Konstruktion sowie insbesondere das Schwingungsverhalten sind Gegenstand eines separaten Beitrags in diesem Heft. Load‐Bearing Behavior and Durability of a Slender Textile Reinforced Concrete Bridge An older pedestrian bridge was replaced by a new bridge made of textile reinforced concrete (TRC) in Southern Germany. A remarkable slenderness was achieved by using a combination of TRC and an unbounded prestressing. The concrete cover of only 1,5 cm makes it possible to design an uncommonly slender Tbeam with seven webs and which is used as superstructure. The article deals with the experimental investigations of the material properties, load‐bearing behaviour and durability. The design and construction, especially the dynamic behaviour, of the bearing structure is described in a separate article in this issue.