DYWIDAG Post-Tensioning Systems stabilize Vajont Bridge, Pordenone, Italy

Construction of a Cantilever Bridge over Vajont Torrent using DYWIDAG Post-Tensioning Systems

In 1961, Vajont Dam, located in the south-eastern part of the Dolomites, 100km north of Venice, with a height of 262m, was one of the highest dams on earth. Only two years after its completion, a massive landslide caused a giant flood wave in which 2,000 people lost their lives.

More than 40 years after this tragedy, the Muni - cipality of the towns Erto and Casso decided to reconstruct the road on the left side of Vajont Torrent, which had been swept away during the catastrophe. Within this project, a new cantilever bridge is being built because the old bridge had also been destroyed by the flood wave.

The bridge, situated about 50m above the river bed, connects two steep mountainsides that are difficult to access. The cantilever construction method was preferred due to the difficult topography.

The new bridge is a classic cantilever prestressed structure, arising from the right side of the torrent. Vajont Bridge has a total length of 87.25m and is 7.50m wide.

The DSI company DYWIT in Italy was chosen to supply DYWIDAG Post-Tensioning systems for this project. All in all, 26t of 12-15x0.6" St 1670/1860 post-tensioning tendons were installed in the bridge. The DYWIDAG Post- Tensioning Systems were installed, stressed and grouted by DYWIT.

DYWIT is proud to have made a major contri - bution to the stability of the new bridge with high quality DYWIDAG Strand Post-Tensioning Systems.