Title:
Diagnostic Load Testing of Concrete Bridges, Principles and Example
Author(s):
Joan Ramon Casas, Piotr Olaszek, Juliusz Ciesla, Krzysztof Germaniuk
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
323
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
7.1-7.16
Keywords:
diagnostic load testing, concrete bridges, cracks
DOI:
10.14359/51702437
Date:
5/1/2018
Abstract:
The paper presents principles of diagnostic load tests of concrete bridges performed in Europe and one example of application from Poland. The common basis of the load testing techniques and methods were developed within the European Research Project ARCHES (Assessment and Rehabilitation of Central European Highway Infrastructure) and the main objectives and results of the project will be presented herein. Based on that, an example of application will follow. The presented example of load tests is an evaluation of newly built reinforced concrete slab bridge. The bridge is a seven-span continuous structure with spans length of 14.05+18.03+15.31+15.63+18.97+18.60+14.34 m [553+710+603+615+747+732+567 in]. After construction, during cleaning the bottom surface of the structure many cracks were noticed in the tension zone. The process of bridge load testing was concentrated on the analysis of the cause of cracks appearing and estimation of the load carrying capacity of the bridge. The investigation range contained the following: tests of material properties, analytical calculations, visual examination of the bottom surface of the structure before, during and after load testing; measurements under test loading: deflection, selected cracks width and supports displacement. The final conclusions included the causes of crack appearing and recommendations for the future bridge service.
Related References:
Casas JR, Znidaric A, Olaszek P (2009) Recommendation on the use of soft, diagnostic and proof load testing. Deliverable D16. EU project ARCHES. Brussels. (available on line at http://arches.fehrl.org).
DAB15 (2017) Accreditation of laboratories performing load testing of bridges. Polish Centre for Accreditation
GDDKiA (2008) Recommendations for the load testing of road bridges. General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (in Polish)
Olaszek, P., Casas, J. R., & Swit, G. (2016) Some relevant experiences from proof load testing of concrete bridges. In Fifth International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE 2016), pp. 1092-1099.
Olaszek, P., Lagoda, M., Casas, J.R. (2014) Diagnostic load testing and assessment of existing bridges. Examples of application”. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, Vol. 10, N.6, pp. 834-842.
PN-91/S-10042 (1992) Bridges - Concrete, reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete structures - Design (in Polish)
PN PN-/S-10040 (1999) Reinforced, prestressed and concrete bridges. Specifications and technical testing (in Polish)
PN-EN ISO/IEC 17025 (2005) General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
PN-EN 1992-1-1 (2008) Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures - Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings (in Polish)