Evaluación estructural y funcional mediante métodos semi-destructivos y no destructivos: caso de estudio del puente sobre el río Tomebamba, en la Av. Unidad Nacional Cuenca – Ecuador

Abstract

In recent years the country has made great progress in terms of road infrastructure, with the implementation of new roads and bridges. Therefore, it is important to continuously monitor the condition of these infrastructures. Specifically, the bridge over the Tomebamba River, located in the Unidad Nacional avenue Cuenca-Ecuador, will be evaluated; since it presents a notable deterioration and constructive failures in its various structural elements. The objective of this graduation work is to perform the structural and functional evaluation of the bridge, using semi-destructive and non-destructive methods; and to present sustainable solution alternatives. Non-destructive methodology includes sclerometry tests, advancement in the carbonation front in concrete, ultrasound for crack lifting, armor detection and geo-radar (GPR). As a semi-destructive method, core extraction was carried out on columns, beams, the board and arch of the bridge. The results that were obtained with the different tests are: the resistance to the simple compression of the concrete verifying the fulfillment with what is stipulated in the current norm, severity of the fissures, location of the steel of reinforcement and advance of the front of carbonatation. According to the results, the real state of the infrastructure was known, proposing alternatives to solve the problems it presents, determining the best alternative from a sustainable point of view.