All over the world, the number of civil engineering structures, particularly bridges with long service periods, has been increasing. The most common evidences of damages are the presence of corroded metallic elements and cracks in structural details due to the fatigue phenomenon. A large number of cases were found in which fatigue cracks were detected in structural details, such as riveted connections. Different strategies can be implemented for repairing and strengthening operations of old metallic riveted bridges. However, the use of injection bolts has been considered as an alternative with important advantages. In this regard, it is essential to study their performance under fatigue loading. In this investigation, an experimental campaign has been performed to assess the fatigue strength of injection bolts by means of comparison with standard bolts. These fatigue tests are defined to be representative of a structural strengthening scenario of an old metallic bridge. Experimental results show that injection bolts contribute to significantly reduce the scatter in the data related to fatigue resistance. For double shear specimens, the characteristic curve proposed for connections with injection bolts presents a detail category with 15% higher value when compared to non-injected specimens. The beneficial effect is also verified in terms of slip deformation. For single shear specimens, the overall effect of the adhesive is not clear.@en

The impact of climate change on ambient temperature and relative humidity along with the present CO2 levels are speeding the corrosion process of reinforced concrete structures. The alarming cost of the associated reduction of the service life of structures, which is estimated to cost 3% to 4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of industrialized countries, has put the spotlight on the importance of introducing the issue of climate change on the new generation of Eurocodes. Amongst the strategies to tackle the problem, design-phase measures seem not to be always cost- effective, nevertheless, measures during service-life are generally the most expensive. This paper discusses the potential strategies to be addressed by structural codes to tackle the problem of climate change-induced corrosion, considering aspects such as the cost-benefit analysis, viability, and the large uncertainty involved in climate change evolution. @en

Concrete is clearly one of the most predominant-used material in both residential and non-residential structures across Europe (Peled and Fishman, 2021). A reinforced concrete (RC) structure is expected to satisfy criteria for serviceability, structural integrity, and stability over its designed operational lifespan, without significant loss of utility or excessive unforeseen maintenance (for general requirements see also EN 1990). Comprehending the degradation mechanisms that impact these structures is essential for accurately estimating their service life and formulating cost-effective maintenance strategies. The main mechanisms responsible for concrete degradation include corrosion caused by carbonation and the presence of chloride ions, freeze-thaw cycles, sulphate attack and erosion due to high-velocity water flow, ice, or wind-blown sand.@en