ABSTRACT
European bridges need refurbishment and strengthening to meet new demands of higher loads and new codes. Three distinctive ideas with potential of saving costs for the European community, reducing the environmental impact for the same result and minimizing the traffic disturbance. New composite action or strengthening of existing shear connectors by post installed shear dowels. Box action by horizontal trusses between the bottom flanges of I-girder bridges, transferring the very fatigue-sensitive I-girders into box girders. Effective strengthening of old truss bridges.
