Monitoring and Numerical Analysis of Construction Stages on the Bridge Realized by the Free Cantilever Method

Abstract Free cantilever method has become a very common method for the concrete bridges construction. Those structures have been very sensitive to prediction of deformation during their erection and service life, too. Structure monitoring system during construction is very important for getting real information about deformation development with time and other influences that can affect the complex structural behavior. The creep and shrinkage of concrete and temperature influence have been considered as main influences on deformation development with time. In many cases bridge designer does not have enough information about all influences during the structure erection. Underestimating of above mentioned effects often causes that predicted deformations did not corresponded to real recorded values. In ultimate cases, the excessive deformations may lead to serviceability problems, deterioration of aesthetics, and eventually early reconstruction of the bridge. The structural behavior assessment is based on numerical analysis and long-term monitoring of the prestressed concrete bridge. The study results were compared to in-situ measurements that have been regularly carried out since the very early stages of construction.