EXTENSION OF LIFE FOR PERLEY BRIDGE

This paper describes a comprehensive evaluation procedure undertaken to decide the future of the 45-year old Perley Bridge, a multi-span, 696.16 m (2284 foot) steel structure, traversing the Ottawa River between Hawkesbury, Ontario and Grenville, Quebec. The bridge was originally designed for approximately H-15 live load and this was to be increased substantially. The bridge consists of an assortment of trestle, deck-truss, through-truss and bowstring-truss spans. The evaluation procedure included a number of phases, such as a review of past performance records and field inspections, theoretical analyses, field and laboratory tests etc. which resulted in recommendations for repairs and/or replacements of deficient members of the bridge. Each phase of the study is discussed in detail, in the hope that it might prove useful as a guide in the evaluation and upgrading of other existing bridge structures. Special attention is drawn to the need for field and laboratory tests to complement the theoretical analyses in assessing the validity of the original design assumptions and procedures in order to develop more realistic analytical models. The load factor design method was employed to assess the theoretical capcity of the bridge. Strengthening measures proposed would extend the life of the bridge at the current traffic level (up to 722.80 kN (162,500 pounds)), while allowing for increases in the future. /Author/

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: pp 64-76
  • Monograph Title: Bridge Engineering. Volume 1
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00183748
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 0309026962
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Dec 3 1978 12:00AM