TESTING AND EVALUATION OF A STEEL PONY TRUSS BRIDGE

This paper presents the results of proof load testing of priebe bridge, a single lane steel pony truss bridge with a non-composite deck and fixed bearings at both abutments. The structure was built in 1938 and is currently posted for a 10 tonne limit. The deck exhibits partial composite action between the concrete slab and the steel stringers which improve its load carrying capacity. The measured forces in the truss members under test loads compare well with the analytical results after making an adjustment to the bottom chord forces for a partial relaxation of horizontal restraint at the fixed bearings. The bridge was subjected to a test vehicle load slightly greater than the load limit as determined by lateral stability considerations when using the latbuck computer program. Although vertical transverse bracing frames have more than the required stiffness to provide sufficient lateral restraint to the top chord at the panel points, analysis shows that the lateral stability is still a potential problem due to the lack of lateral restraint at the elbows in the top chord, typical of the existing steel pony truss bridges in Ontario. The stability of similar bridges can be improved by providing this lateral restraint at the elbows. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 807201.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)

  401-1111 Prince of Wales Drive
  Ottawa, Ontario  Canada 
• Authors:
  • Agarwal, A C
• Publication Date: 1988

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: B45-B66
• Serial:
  • RTAC 1988 ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
  • Publisher: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearing capacity; Computer programs; Conferences; Forecasting; Loads; Material reinforcement; Metal bridges; Restraint systems; Stability (Mechanics); Structural connection; Tests
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• ITRD Terms: 3085: Bearing capacity; 8018: Canada; 8525: Conference; 132: Forecast; 5567: Load; 3465: Metal bridge; 9111: Reinforcement (gen); 3422: Restraint (fixing); 8645: Software; 5930: Stability; 6255: Test
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00487582
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1989 12:00AM