FIELD INVESTIGATION OF SOUTHERN PACIFIC COMPANY, TEXAS AND LOUISIANA LINES PRESTRESSED CONCRETE GIRDER SPANS

A description and analysis of tests made on two spans under diesel locomotives at speeds from 5 to 20 mph comprise this report. One span consisted of four pre-tensioned girders 30 ft. long. The other span consisted of five girders 55 ft. 0 in. long which were first pre-tensioned and later post-tensioned. The purpose of the tests was to determine static effects, vertical and transverse distribution of strains and maximum strains. A brief summary of the data follows: The effect of diesel locomotive loadings on two prestressed concrete girder spans was analyzed, and from the test data it can be concluded that: (1) recorded static strains were less than the calculated values; (2) composite action was attained between the deck and the girders; (3) Transverse distribution was the best for the longer span having the closer girder spacing; (4) there was little increase in strains with increase in speed; however, the diesels operated up to speeds of only 20 mph.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conducted under sponsorship of AREA Committee 30 - Impact and Bridges Stresses.
• Corporate Authors:

  Association of American Railroads Research Center

  3140 South Federal Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60616
• Authors:
  • Wilki, D W
• Publication Date: 1962-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 6 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Diesel locomotives; Load transfer; Prestressed concrete bridges; Stresses
• Old TRIS Terms: Bridge stresses
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00097258
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: ER-25
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 29 1975 12:00AM