Live-Load Testing and Long-Term Monitoring of the Varina-Enon Bridge: Investigating Thermal Distress
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 3
Abstract
During detailed visual inspections, inspectors on the Varina-Enon Bridge noticed a significant flexural crack opening, visually estimated at 1.5 mm under traffic, on the last span of the approach structure among other significant cracks on June 29, 2012. To investigate the causes of the observed cracking, live-load testing, long-term monitoring, and structural analysis were used including 77 total strain, crack displacement, deflection, and temperature sensors. The live-load test produced a crack opening of approximately 0.5 mm when under a less-severe thermal gradient. The collected data indicated the crack opening was greatly influenced by interaction of vehicular loads and thermal gradient magnitude. There were 389 crack openings larger than 0.0625 mm over the 17 months of the long-term monitoring, with a maximum measured crack opening of approximately 0.76 mm. Maximum measured thermal gradients were found to be in excess of the as-built design thermal gradient but similar to the current design thermal gradient. This may indicate potential underestimation of the maximum design thermal gradient, but would require a more robust study.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research. Mike Brown and Bernie Kassner were valuable sources of knowledge and support throughout the project. Additionally, the authors are grateful for the support of Clark Nexen Engineering Inspectors and McClain & Co., Inc. Underbridge Services during the load test and long-term monitoring installation. Several students, including William Collins and Kedar Halbe, helped with the instrumentation. Special thanks goes to David Mokarem who sacrificed mind and body for project success.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 23 • Issue 3 • March 2018
Copyright
© 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 7, 2017
Accepted: Sep 13, 2017
Published online: Jan 9, 2018
Published in print: Mar 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Jun 9, 2018
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