Potential of longitudinal post-tensioning for short-to-medium span timber bridges

On the basis of recent developments in post-tensioned multi-st orey timber buildings using un bonded tendons, this paper aimed at investigating the potential of implementing a similar technology for innovative solutions for timber bridges. In particular, several technological solutions are proposed for future development, using several different cross sections and longitudinal profiles suitable for shortto- medium bridge spans, with both internal and external longitudinal ten dons, in some cases supplemented by transverse post-tensioning. In add ition, a feasibility study of a short-span timber brid ge is presented, with longitudinally posttensioned lami nated veneer lumber (LVL) hollow core beams as an alternative to the existing concrete solution. The discussion includes a comparison between newly proposed and traditional solutions based on the evaluation of long-term post-tensioning losses, a cost analysi s and some considerations on sustainability issues.