AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Special Projects Category

Rehabilitation of La Rioja Bridge

Puente La Rioja, Colombia

Submitted by MBT Columbia S.A., Degussa Construction Chemicals

This project involves unique rehabilitation of an existing bridge which was kept operational for traffic during its rehabilitation. The only shutdowns involved a 16-hour outage for special jacking of the decks. The approach slabs were sequentially demolished and replaced with a special high-early strength developing concrete.

Unique applications of repair techniques and products involved the structural seismic upgrading with carbon-reinforced composites and strengthening/stiffening of the columns increasing their sections and using special shear connectors. Fluid self-consolidating concrete with fibers was used in the beams and columns to handle traffic-induced vibration during construction.

The beams were jacked up and new neoprene pads were placed. Also, the deck was repaired and strengthened using shear connectors and an overlayment.

Owner
Gobernacion De Cundinamarca
Bogotá, Colombia

Project Engineer/
Designer
Concesionaria del Desarrollo Vial de la Sabana—DEVISAB
Chia, Cundinamarca, Colombia

Repair Contractor
Consorcio CADSA G y P
Bogotá, Colombia

SESAC LIMITADA
Bogotá, Colombia

Material Supplier
MBT Columbia S.A., Degussa Construction Chemicals
Bogotá, Colombia