Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
(OP)
In the absence of design data, I will appreciate some help with some non-destructive tests to assess the load carrying capacity of a one span reinforced concrete bridge. Many thanks.





RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
Do you have access to specialized testing equipment to determine that, or is this where your question is really going?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
f-d
¡papá gordo ain't no madre flaca!
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
1. How the load is distributed to the pavement is more important than the total weight (say the number of tires, tire spacing - transverse & longitudinal, weight distribution on the tires, weight of the transporting vehicle).
2. Length of the bridge (if it is "short" perhaps the full load will never be on the bridge at one time).
3. Approximate age of the bridge (if it was designed in the 1950's, or earlier the bridge is probably deficient in shear capacity (for heavy loads) since shear in reinforced concrete was not well understood then).
There are a lot of other factors, but try those for starters.
www.SlideRuleEra.net![[idea] idea](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/idea.gif)
www.VacuumTubeEra.net
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
From the strain data, you can back into the capacity or anticipated capacity based on the load response.
Essentially bonded strain gauges are placed at various points on the bridge structure (primarily extreme fiber stress points in bending, but not the only locations), then the load testing is done with a moving truck load. Data evaluation include developing load response curves and then fitting perceived design data back into the mix.
You should also use some nondestructive measures to get rebar locations (R-meter, Rebar Scan, radiography, etc.) and determine the compressive strength of the concrete with cores if possible. Most nondestructive concrete strength methods have to be correlated to cores for accuracy anyway.
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
Prior to that, you should do some research on design code used at the time of original design (could be AASHTO, or local/rural code), and estimate lane load. From which you can develop procedures and check against testing results.
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
(The original, or as-built plans would help.)
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
Depending on the structure's value, etc. can you get by having deformed it? Going to yield in the steel?
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
A corollary question, what is a ball park cost for a study of this kind?
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity
RE: Estimation of bridge load carrying capacity