INVESTIGATION OF FATIGUE AND STATIC STRENGTH OF 50 YEAR OLD TIMBER STRINGERS FROM A.T. AND S.F. RY. BRIDGE NEAR LA JUNTA, COLORADO

The report contains a description and analysis of data obtained during the test of a three-span creosoted timber ballast-deck trestle. Information was desired on 50-year old stringers in order to correlate field loading conditions with future laboratory research. Since Bridge 589.6 was to be replaced with a concrete culvert in the near future making the old stringers available for laboratory tests, it was decided to conduct a field test. The significant results of the test were that the maximum recorded strain at the center line of either test span was 357 micro inches/inch on the bottom of stringer 3 at the center line of span, and the maximum recorded strain over the center line of bent was 420 micro inches/inches on the top of stringer 7. These strains are equivalent to stresses of 714 psi and 840 psi, respectively, based on an assumed modulus of elasticity of 2,000 psi.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conducted under sponsorhips of AREA Committee 7 - Wood Bridges and Trestles.
• Corporate Authors:

  Association of American Railroads Research Center

  3140 South Federal Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60616
• Publication Date: 1961-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 21 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Load transfer; Loads; Stresses; Stringers; Wooden bridges
• Uncontrolled Terms: Loading
• Old TRIS Terms: Ballast deck bridges; Bridge stresses; Bridge stringers
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00097264
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: ER-2
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 29 1975 12:00AM