Puente Duarte a 336m three span suspension bridge was constructed with steel girders and a steel-composite concrete deck in The Dominican Republic in 1955. Preliminary inspection and initial assessment showed that key elements of the bridge were corroded and were either in need of strengthening or replacement. Initial remedial strengthening works were designed and implemented whilst a more detailed inspection and evaluation of the bridge was underway to assess load carrying capacity of the bridge and its subsequent strengthening to carry the anticipated increase in traffic load. A three dimensional mathematical model of the bridge was developed incorporating the deficiencies highlighted from its detailed inspection and to investigate its behaviour to static, dynamic and seismic loading. Analysis of the results demonstrated that response of the bridge has significantly changed as a result of the corrosion of its major structural components. A number of innovative schemes were developed and incorporated within the numerical model to replace the suspension cables and to strengthen the main towers as well as longitudinal lattice truss girders of the bridge.

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