Title: Full-Scale Test to Failure of a Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Bridge. Calibration of Assessment Models for Load-bearing Capacities of Existing Bridges

Author(s): Arto Puurula, Ola Enochsson, Håkan Thun, Håkan Nordin, Björn Täljsten, Lennart Elfgren

Publication: NCR

Volume: 38

Issue: 8

Appears on pages(s): 131-142

Keywords: , shear, strengthening, ultimate load carrying capacity, failure

DOI:

Date: 12/17/2008

Abstract:
A reinforced concrete railway trough bridge has been strengthened and loaded to failure. The aim was to test and calibrate methods developed in the European Research Project "Sustainable Bridges" regarding: (a) condition appraisal and inspection, (b) load carrying capacity analysis, (c) monitoring and (d) strengthening of existing bridges. The tested methods proved to be useful and to give accurate predictions. A failure in combined shear, bending and torsion was reached for an applied mid span load of 11,7 MN. This was well predicted by enhanced methods but 20 to 50 % higher than ultimate load evaluated according to predictions based on common codes and models.