THE LOAD SPECTRUM FOR THE FRASER RIVER BRIDGE AT NEW WESTMINSTER, BC

To assure the safety of steel bridges on the Canadian National mainlines carrying more than 10 million gross tons per year, a method of fatigue analysis and prediction has been developed. The 2,000-ft Fraser River Bridge near Vancouver, B.C., which had been built in 1904 was of special concern and was used for the initial study. This paper describes the load spectrum used to analyze the bridge with particular reference to the useful life of the hangers of the main 380-ft span. A firm maximum life could only be established with data on the loads to which the bridge has been and will be subjected. Historical data were scanned to produce the load spectrum for past traffic. Marketing projections were used for future estimates. The effects of unit trains and heavy cars have been studied. Experimental field measurements confirm the applicability of the traffic spectrum evaluation of stress cycles to the bridge members.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the 75th Technical Conference, AREA, Chicago, Illinois, 22-24 March 1976. See also An Investigation of the Fatigue Damage in Members of the 380-ft Main Span, Fraser River Bridge, RRIS 00 139943.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Authors:
  • Sweeney, RAP
• Conference:
  • Presented at the 75th Technical Conference, AREA, Chicago, Illinois, 22-24 March 1976. See also An Investigation of the Fatigue Damage in Members of the 380-ft Main Span, Fraser River Bridge, RRIS 00 139943.
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 561-577
• Serial:
  • Volume: 77

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Bridge members; Bridges; Length; Life cycle analysis; Loads; Metal bridges; Safety; Steel bridges; Stresses; Structural analysis; Structural supports; Traffic
• Identifier Terms: Canadian National; Canadian National Railways
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge spans; Bridge structures; Fatigue analysis; Hangers
• Old TRIS Terms: Bridge stresses; High axle loads; Stress cycle
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00139942
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Bulletin 658 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 26 1976 12:00AM