This article addresses the often overlooked but critical long-term factors of creep, shrinkage, ageing and corrosion in civil engineering structures. The paper emphasizes their substantial impact on structural mechanical resistance and safety, drawing attention to key examples like the Civic Tower in Pavia, the Koror-Babeldaob Bridge and dams in the USA. By exploring the challenges faced in modern engineering, the article sheds light on the need to consider these effects. Various models for predicting creep and shrinkage in concrete structures are introduced as potential solutions. In conclusion, the paper highlights the necessity for engineers to navigate the intricacies of material behaviour for successful construction amidst evolving challenges.

In this dissertation the impact of balanced cantilever bridge construction method on the deformations and stresses of prestressed concrete bridges built on site is investigated. The specific scientific contribution of the dissertation is the preparation and execution of measurements on bridges, carried out on site and on real structures during stage construction, which are rare in the world. The measurements were carried out on the Vranduk 1 and Vranduk 2 bridges, located on the Vc corridor, on the base segments above the piers, and all phases of the balanced cantilever construction were monitored, from the first segment to the final connection of the bridges. Apart from the execution of measurements on bridges during construction, numerical simulations based on measured results can also be considered as a valuable scientific contribution of this dissertation. In these simulations, the deformations and stresses in different cross section points measured during construction were compared with the results obtained by numerical analysis on a complex spatial model. Very good matching between measured and numerical results, as well as observed deviations which were commented and explained, confirmed the basic assumption that a good material model of the building that includes the socalled long-term effects in concrete and steel, can accurately simulate the real state of the structure. Long-term effects in concrete and steel, as well as temperature taken during construction stages, are incorporated into the model, and compared to data obtained on completed bridges, provide a better match with real behaviour, which can also be considered a valuable scientific contribution. Also, the results of experimental and numerical research presented in this doctoral thesis provide valuable data, which can be used in the creation of new numerical models and the refinement of existing ones. Finally, the presented results and conclusions offer practical guidelines for designers, contractors and project managers involved in balanced cantilever bridge construction, as well as valuable knowledge for optimizing construction methods and increasing the safety and efficiency of bridge projects.