ABSTRACT
A quick in-situ investigation has been performed, consisting of visual inspections, sclerometric and pull-out tests and a carbonation penetration depth check. The investigation highlighted a widespread state of deterioration of the beams concrete and, due both to the scarcity of concrete cover (within 5 ÷ 15 mm) and to carbonation, the prestressing braids, at least the outer layers, seems definitely endangered (Fig. 2), to the extent that some of them are slack or even broken. Both sclerometric and pull-out tests confirmed a concrete class higher than C32/40. On conic samples formerly extracted from the RC members by pull-out equipment, the colorimetric carbonation depth test by means of 1% solution of phenolphthalein in ethanol has been carried out, revealing a carbonation penetration far beyond the scarce concrete cover available.
