Pedestrian bridges and load testing

Critical Proof Load for Proof Load Testing of Concrete Bridges based on Scripted FEM Analysis

Live load model for highway bridges *

Load models are developed for highway bridges. The models are based on the available statistical data on dead load, truck loads and dynamic loads. The paper deals mostly with the static live load. The model is derived from truck surveys, weigh-in-motion measurements and other observations. Simple span moments, shears and negative moments are calculated for various spans. Extreme 75 year loads a...

Heuristic optimization of prestressed concrete precast pedestrian bridges

This paper deals with the economic optimization of prestressed concrete precast pedestrian bridges typically used in public works construction. These bridges are made of a precast concrete beam that integrates an upper reinforced concrete slab for the pedestrian traffic. The beam has a U-shape cross-section. Typical span lengths range from 20 to 40 m and the width ranges from 3.00 to 6.00 m. Th...

Vehicle Tracking Using Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks during Dynamic Load Testing of Highway Bridges

The development of structural health monitoring systems for bridge structures necessitates improvements in the understanding of vehicle-bridge interactions. Direct measurement of the complex coupling that naturally exists between vehicles and bridges is a challenging undertaking due to the limitations of existing sensor technologies. However, the emergence of wireless sensors in the field of st...

Static load testing with temperature compensation for structural health monitoring of bridges

The paper presents a series of repeated static loading tests on a prestressed concrete beam, which was originally part of a real bridge and then subjected to stepwise artificial damage. The tests were done during a one-month period that four levels of damage were introduced by cutting tendons until visible cracking occurred. The deflection line was measured by means of several displacement sens...