Assessment and re-design of existing bridges.

1st International Summer School – July 2-6, 2018

There is a significant and growing need nowadays for the strengthening of existing reinforced concrete structures. Structural deterioration may have taken place, a change in use could result in more onerous loading, or requirements of design and loading Standards may change. In this context, new materials and techniques can provide cost effective solutions to both the design and implementation of strengthening measures.

It is well known that traffic volumes and loads can greatly increase during the life-span of an infrastructure. The infrastructure performance can fall under a warning level and a strengthening or repairing intervention become necessary. In other cases, the environmental conditions lead to a premature deterioration of the materials and a rapid intervention is needed as well. Moreover, some infrastructure elements were built before the seismic codes were available or before the seismic risk was recognized in the area of construction.
Deterioration of materials, higher traffic loads, seismic hazard are determining the need of defining innovative structural solution, novel analyses and retrofitting techniques for existing bridges.

Moreover, there is a stronger need than ever to grow researchers/practitioners that combine a robust academic foundation in structural analysis/conceptual design with practical experiences, technological expertise with awareness of the socio-economic impact in the field of existing infrastructures.

Hence, main goal of the Summer School is to offer innovative background, both analytical and practical, on structures and infrastructures, as well as laboratory experience.

International and National Lecturers