Diagnostic load testing and assessment of existing bridges: examples of application

Olaszek, Piotr; Łagoda, М.; Casas, Joan R.

doi:10.1080/15732479.2013.772212

Cited by 61 publications

(38 citation statements)

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“…Other authors propose updating finite element models with measurements . In rare cases, load testing of a structure is necessary to evaluate its capacity …”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Levels of approximation for the shear assessment of reinforced concrete slab bridges

Lantsoght

Boer

Veen

2017

Structural Concrete

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Funding informationDutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment.Many existing reinforced concrete bridges in The Netherlands are suspected of having insufficient shear strength, hence a methodical approach is necessary to assess them. The aim of this paper is to provide a structured approach for assessment of the reinforced concrete slab bridges, which make up a considerable proportion of the Dutch bridge stock. The proposed method uses the levels of approximation introduced in the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010. The recommendations at all levels are linked to experimental research. The different levels include spreadsheet-based calculations (the "Quick Scan"), linear finite element models, nonlinear finite element models, the analysis of a structure with cracked concrete, and, for exceptional cases, proof loading of the structure. The result of this approach is a structured method of levels of assessment that can be used when many bridges need to be assessed. For most bridges, assessment at the lowest level will prove sufficient. For a limited number of cases, higher levels of assessment will offer options and guidelines for a more in-depth study of the structure being assessed. K E Y W O R D Sassessment, bridges, finite element models, hand calculations, levels of approximation, reinforced concrete, shear, slabs, slab bridges 1 | INTRODUCTION | Bridges in The NetherlandsThe Dutch road network went through a large period of expansion in the decades of reconstruction after the Second World War. The bridges that were built at this time are reaching the end of the service lives originally envisaged, but replacing all these structures is not practical. The economic cost of replacing these structures is high, as are likewise the ecological cost (associated with the CO 2 emissions in the production and transportation of the materials) and the social cost (such as traffic delays, which lead to large indirect costs in a densely populated country like the Netherlands). numerous reinforced concrete slab bridges that were built without shear reinforcement in the Netherlands need to be assessed with regard to their shear capacity. The scope of this study covers 600 reinforced concrete solid slab bridges, most of which were built during the 1960s and 1970s. | Levels of approximationThe recently published fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 6 allows the shear and punching capacities to be calculated for different "levels of approximation." The

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“…Other authors propose updating finite element models with measurements . In rare cases, load testing of a structure is necessary to evaluate its capacity …”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Levels of approximation for the shear assessment of reinforced concrete slab bridges

Lantsoght

Boer

Veen

2017

Structural Concrete

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“…The large loads required for proof load testing have been achieved by using military vehicles (Varela-Ortiz, Cintrón, Velázquez, & Stanton, 2010), by directly applying dead weights such as steel profiles on the bridge (Olaszek, Łagoda, & Casas, 2014), or by using an external structure (Schwesinger & Bolle, 2000). In Europe, no Eurocodes for the assessment of existing structures are available, and no vehicles for which bridges should be rated are available.…”

Section: Approach Developed In the Netherlandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards standardisation of proof load testing: pilot test on viaduct Zijlweg

Lantsoght

Koekkoek

Hordijk

et al. 2017

Structure and Infrastructure Engineering

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Proof load tests of bridges can be very useful for structures with a lack of information, or for structures of which the effect of material degradation is difficult to assess. Contrary to diagnostic load testing, proof load testing is not well-defined in current standards in terms of required load and analysis of measurements. The risk related to the high loads used in proof load testing requires standardisation for these tests. The paper highlights important considerations for proof load testing that may lead to the development of guidelines in the Netherlands, by illustrating a pilot study on the viaduct Zijlweg in the Netherlands. This reinforced concrete bridge rates too low in shear. Topics of interest are the required load that the bridge has to withstand to be approved by the load test and the interpretation of the measurements during the test to avoid permanent damage to the structure. These measurements were compared to the stop criteria from existing codes for buildings, to examine if recommendations for the use with bridges can be formulated. The final result of the test on this case study is that the capacity of the viaduct is proven to be sufficient for shear and bending moment.

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“…Diagnostic proof loading (Russo et al, 2000, Olaszek et al, 2014, Moses et al, 1994, Jauregui et al, 2010, Farhey, 2005 can be used on newly opened bridges to verify the stiffness as well as on existing bridges. Several countries, such as Italy (Veneziano et al, 1984), Switzerland (Bruehwiler et al, 2012) and France (Cochet et al, 2004) require a diagnostic load test upon opening of a bridge.…”

Section: Literature On Proof Loadingmentioning

confidence: 99%