In collapsing the carol bridge: experts warn of further danger!

Completion report on the Carol Bridge: cracks and corrosion as the causes of the collapse. Experts recommend preventive measures.
Completion report on the Carol Bridge: cracks and corrosion as the causes of the collapse. Experts recommend preventive measures. (Symbolbild/NAG)

In collapsing the carol bridge: experts warn of further danger!

Dresden, Deutschland - The final report for the Carolabrücke in Dresden brings new knowledge to the causes of fatal collapse, which took place on September 11, 2024. The investigation shows that cracks in the tensioning steels and corrosion damage that occurred during the construction of the bridge were the main causes for the failure of the construction. According to t-online.de also determined that harmful substances, in particular sulfuric acid, the steel ropes of the bridge had attacked.

The damage increased through daily loads for many years, although the bridge was well maintained. Cracks were recognized, but classified as harmless because they were in the normal range. The experts warn against hastily demolished and recommend a more precise monitoring of the bridges. A sound emission measurement, which was proposed as a possible solution to observe crack growth inside the bridge, could be helpful here.

Important details about the examination

Prof. Steffen Marx from the Institute for Solid Construction of the Technical University of Dresden confirmed that the corrosion damage in connection with material fatigue during daily traffic led to sudden collapse. This specific type of corrosion, referred to as hydrogen -induced voltage crack corrosion, could only be recognized by special measurements. The still preserved bridge trains A and B also have considerable corrosion damage and face a fate similar to the already collapsed bridge train C. The report sees the Carolabrücke at the end of its load -bearing capacity, which makes a complete demolition necessary, so tu-Dresden.de.

sensors that have been installed since the beginning of the year have registered over 20 breaks in the functional parts of the bridge. These illustrate the urgency of the situation: According to the experts, more than 1,000 bridges in Germany would potentially endanger. The monitoring costs of these bridges are only 0.5 to 1 percent of the costs of a new building.

Future of the bridge inspection

bridges in Germany often have to struggle to the overload boundaries, especially in view of the strong gain in traffic, which has been observed in recent years. Many of these buildings date from the 1960s and are no longer designed for today's traffic loads. The average service life was estimated at 70 to 80 years, but many bridges already show defects, as planet-wissen.de

Regular inspections are crucial to ensure the safety of the bridges. These take place every six years, although additional exams are carried out after serious accidents or storms if necessary. Innovative technologies are under development to improve the efficiency of monitoring. Intelligent bridges with sensory technologies for moisture measurement and damage detection could play an important role in the future.

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OrtDresden, Deutschland
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