Evaluation of a Noncomposite Steel Girder Bridge through Live-Load Field Testing
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 18, Issue 7
Abstract
This paper presents the field evaluation of a damaged noncomposite steel girder bridge that is part of the interstate highway system in Vermont. This bridge is typical of late 1960s construction and spans over a two-lane state highway near the town of Weathersfield, Vermont. The superstructure contains three-span continuous girders supported on abutments at the ends and on RC multicolumn interior bents. Strains were measured during live-load testing that was conducted to better understand the bridge behavior. The field results were compared with results from finite-element models created using common engineering assumptions. In addition, the load-distribution characteristics of girders that were damaged by an overheight truck traveling on the state highway under the bridge were evaluated. The results indicate that alternate load paths were developed within the bridge superstructure as a result of damage from the truck impact. For the loading magnitude applied during the load tests, evidence of composite action was observed and participation of curbs on the response of the bridge was noticed. Bridge skew and partial restraint generated at the supports also contributed to differences in the observed and calculated responses. These nondestructive load testing results were used to provide confidence on the load-carrying capacity of the bridge and to avoid costly bridge closures and detours.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The research project presented in this paper was funded by the Vermont Agency of Transportation. The conclusions and recommendations contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as views or policies of the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
References
AASHTO. (2011). Manual for bridge evaluation, 2nd Ed., AASHTO, Washington, DC.
Akinci, N. O., Liu, J., and Bowman, M. D. (2008). “Parapet strength and contribution to live-load response for superload passages.” J. Bridge Eng., 13(1), 55–63.
Bhattacharya, B., Li, D., Chajes, M., and Hastings, J. (2005). “Reliability-based load and resistance factor rating using in-service data.” J. Bridge Eng., 10(5), 530–543.
Cai, C. S., and Shahawy, M. (2003). “Understanding capacity rating of bridges from load tests.” Pract. Period. Struct. Des. Constr., 8(4), 209–216.
Chajes, M. J., Mertz, D. R., and Commander, B. (1997). “Experimental load rating of a posted bridge.” J. Bridge Eng., 2(1), 1–10.
DelGrego, M. R., Culmo, M. P., and DeWolf, J. T. (2008). “Performance evaluation through field testing of century-old railroad truss bridge.” J. Bridge Eng., 13(2), 132–138.
Lai, L., Baker, G. S., and Dragan, M. S. (2003). “Load testing on two bridge superstructures.” Proc., Structures Congress on Engineering Smarter, ASCE, New York, 1093–1101.
Schulz, J. L., Commander, B., Goble, G. G., and Frangopol, D. M. (1995). “Efficient field testing and load rating of short and medium span bridges.” Struct. Eng. Rev., 7(3), 181–194.
Transportation Research Board (TRB). (1998). “Manual for bridge rating through load testing.” Research Results Digest No. 234, National Research Council, Washington, DC.
Zhou, Y. E. (1996). “Load testing and strength evaluation of a non-composite steel plate girder bridge.” Proc., XIV Structures Congress on Building an Int. Community of Structural Engineers, ASCE, New York, 884–891.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 27, 2011
Accepted: Apr 4, 2012
Published online: Apr 10, 2012
Published in print: Jul 1, 2013
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.