Live-load Testing and Finite-element Analysis of a Steel Cantilevered Deck Arched Pratt Truss Bridge for the Long-term Bridge Performance Program

Live-load Testing and Finite-element Analysis of a Steel Cantilevered Deck Arched Pratt Truss Bridge for the Long-term Bridge Performance Program
Author: Matthew P. Laurendeau
Publisher:
Total Pages: 180
Release: 2011
Genre:
ISBN:

The Long Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) program is an organization within the Federal Highway Administration that inspects, tests, analyzes, and observes, for an extended period of time, a variety of bridge types throughout the United States. Part of the program includes periodic testing of select bridges of a span of 20 years. The Kettle River Bridge located outside of Sandstone, Minnesota was selected for study due to its unique design. The Kettle River Bridge is a historical steel cantilevered deck arched Pratt truss bridge. The bridge was instrumented with 151 strain gauges on various floor and truss members along with eight displacement gauges strategically placed along the truss. All gauges were read simultaneously as the bridge underwent nondestructive live loading. The recorded gauge readings were analyzed to determine bridge behavior and then used in the assistance of calibrating a working finite element model. After a working model was verified the distribution factors for the interior and exterior floor stringers were determined. By using the controlling distribution factor, a load rating for the bridge was determined for both inventory and operating. The distribution factors and load ratings determined using the finite elementeelement model were then compared to the AAHSTO LRFD specifications.

Live Load Test and Failure Analysis for the Steel Deck Truss Bridge Over the New River in Virginia

Live Load Test and Failure Analysis for the Steel Deck Truss Bridge Over the New River in Virginia
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 104
Release: 2009
Genre: Bridges
ISBN:

This report presents the methods used to model a steel deck truss bridge over the New River in Hillsville, Virginia. These methods were evaluated by comparing analytical results with data recorded from 14 members during live load testing. The research presented herein is part of a larger endeavor to understand the structural behavior and collapse mechanism of the erstwhile I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007. Objectives accomplished toward this end include investigation of lacing effects on built-up member strain measurement, live load testing of a steel truss bridge, and evaluation of modeling techniques in comparison to recorded data. The most accurate model was used to conduct a failure analysis with the intent of then loading the steel truss bridge to failure. Before any live load testing could be performed, it was necessary to confirm an acceptable strain gage layout for measuring member strains. The effect of riveted lacing in built-up members was investigated by constructing a two-thirds mockup of a typical bridge member. The mockup was instrumented with strain gages and subjected to known loads to determine the most effective strain gage arrangement. The results of the testing analysis showed that for a built-up member consisting of laced channels, one strain gage installed on the middle of the extreme fiber of each channel's flanges was sufficient. Thus, laced members on the bridge were mounted with four strain gages each. Data from live loads were obtained by loading two trucks to 25 tons each. Trucks were positioned at eight locations on the bridge in four different relative truck positions. Data were recorded continuously and reduced to member forces for model validation comparisons. Deflections at selected truss nodes were also recorded for model validation purposes. The model validation process began by developing four simple truss models, each reflecting different expected restraint conditions, in the hopes of bracketing data from recorded results. The models included a simple truss model, a frame model with only the truss members, and a frame model that included the stringers. The final, most accurate model was selected and used for a failure analysis. This model showed where the minimum amount of load could be applied to learn about the bridge's failure behavior and was to be used for a test to be conducted at a later time. Unfortunately, the project was terminated because of a lack of funding before the actual test to failure of the steel truss bridge was conducted. Nevertheless, findings from the study led to two important recommendations: 1.) When instrumenting a steel truss bridge for load testing by placing strain gages on built-up members, four gages, one placed on each flange of each channel, should be used. 2.) When modeling deck truss bridges, the system should be considered to be a frame and should include the stringers in the model.

Diagnostic and Proof Load Tests on Bridges

Diagnostic and Proof Load Tests on Bridges
Author: Fikret Necati Catbas
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2020-12-11
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 2889662128

This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contact.

Load Testing of Bridges

Load Testing of Bridges
Author: Eva Lantsoght
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 347
Release: 2019-06-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0429555970

Load Testing of Bridges, featuring contributions from almost fifty authors from around the world across two interrelated volumes, deals with the practical aspects, the scientific developments, and the international views on the topic of load testing of bridges. Volume 12, Load Testing of Bridges: Current practice and Diagnostic Load Testing, starts with a background to bridge load testing, including the historical perspectives and evolutions, and the current codes and guidelines that are governing in countries around the world. The second part of the book deals with preparation, execution, and post-processing of load tests on bridges. The third part focuses on diagnostic load testing of bridges. This work will be of interest to researchers and academics in the field of civil/structural engineering, practicing engineers and road authorities worldwide.

Safety and Reliability of Bridge Structures

Safety and Reliability of Bridge Structures
Author: Khaled Mahmoud
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 514
Release: 2009-09-21
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0203861582

Recent surveys of the U.S. infrastructure‘s condition have rated a staggering number of bridges structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. While not necessarily unsafe, a structurally deficient bridge must be posted for weight and have limits for speed, due to its deteriorated structural components. Bridges with old design features that canno

Bridge Deck Analysis

Bridge Deck Analysis
Author: Eugene J. Obrien
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2014-10-06
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 148222724X

Captures Current Developments in Bridge Design and MaintenanceRecent research in bridge design and maintenance has focused on the serviceability problems of older bridges with aging joints. The favored solution of integral construction and design has produced bridges with fewer joints and bearings that require less maintenance and deliver increased

The Manual of Bridge Engineering

The Manual of Bridge Engineering
Author: M. J. Ryall
Publisher: Thomas Telford
Total Pages: 1046
Release: 2000
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9780727727749

- Bridge type, behaviour and appearance David Bennett, David Bennett Associates · History of bridge development · Bridge form · Behaviour - Loads and load distribution Mike Ryall, University of Surrey · Brief history of loading specifications · Current code specification · Load distribution concepts · Influence lines - Analysis Professor R Narayanan, Consulting Engineer · Simple beam analysis · Distribution co-efficients · Grillage method · Finite elements · Box girder analysis: steel and concrete · Dynamics - Design of reinforced concrete bridges Dr Paul Jackson, Gifford and Partners · Right slab · Skew slab · Beam and slab · Box - Design of prestressed concrete bridges Nigel Hewson, Hyder Consulting · Pretensioned beams · Beam and slab · Pseduo slab · Post tensioned concrete beams · Box girders - Design of steel bridges Gerry Parke and John Harding, University of Surrey · Plate girders · Box girders · Orthotropic plates · Trusses - Design of composite bridges David Collings, Robert Benaim and Associates · Steel beam and concrete · Steel box and concrete · Timber and concrete - Design of arch bridges Professor Clive Melbourne, University of Salford · Analysis · Masonry · Concrete · Steel · Timber - Seismic analysis of design Professor Elnashai, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · Modes of failure in previous earthquakes · Conceptual design issues · Brief review of seismic design codes - Cable stayed bridges - Daniel Farquhar, Mott Macdonald · Analysis · Design · Construction - Suspension bridges Vardaman Jones and John Howells, High Point Rendel · Analysis · Design · Construction - Moving bridges Charles Birnstiel, Consulting engineer · History · Types · Special problems - Substructures Peter Lindsell, Peter Lindsell and Associates · Abutments · Piers - Other structural elements Robert Broome et al, WS Atkins · Parapets · Bearings · Expansion joints - Protection Mike Mulheren, University of Surrey · Drainage · Waterproofing · Protective coating/systems for concrete · Painting system for steel · Weathering steel · Scour protection · Impact protection - Management systems and strategies Perrie Vassie, Transport Research Laboratory · Inspection · Assessment · Testing · Rate of deterioration · Optimal maintenance programme · Prioritisation · Whole life costing · Risk analysis - Inspection, monitoring, and assessment Charles Abdunur, Laboratoire Central Des Ponts et Chaussées · Main causes of deterioration · Investigation methods · Structural evaluation tests · Stages of structural assessment · Preparing for recalculation - Repair and Strengthening John Darby, Consulting Engineer · Repair of concrete structures · Metal structures · Masonry structures · Replacement of structures