ASSESSMENT OF INCREASED MASS LIMITS OF NSW BRIDGES

The National Road Transport Commission (NRTC) Mass Limits Review (MLR) 1996 proposed increased mass load limits for vehicles. This paper discusses the methodology developed by the Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW (RTA) to assess the load capacity of its bridge stock to carry the proposed increased mass limits. Based on the results of these assessments, decisions were made to determine if a bridge needed to be monitored, strengthened or replaced to carry the increased loading. A methodology was developed based on a hierarchy of load capacity assessment procedures and was in keeping with the Guidelines for Bridge Load Capacity Assessment developed by the AUSTROADS Bridge Assessment Group. The method needed to be straightforward to enable completion of the project in little over six months, yet safe and able to deliver realistic results. A desk top analysis of the RTA Bridge Information System (BIS) identified that 433 state road bridges and 102 road over rail bridges were suspect in carrying the proposed increased mass of 45.5 tonne on six-axle articulated trucks. These 535 bridges were assessed using the methodology developed. The method has seven stages. The outcome of the project was a rationalisation and reduction in the number of bridges initially assessed as requiring strengthening and replacement, resulting in a substantial reduction, of the order of $100M, in the estimated cost for bridge upgrades. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD E204289.

• Record URL:
  http://arrbknowledge.com
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/085588567X
• Corporate Authors:

  AUSTROADS

  24-28 Campbell Street, P.O. Box K659, Roden Cutler House
  Haymarket, New South Wales  Australia  2000
• Authors:
  • Ariyaratne, W
  • Wedgwood, R
• Conference:
  • AUSTROADS BRIDGE CONFERENCE, 4TH, 2000, ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 245-60
• Serial:
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue Number: AP-G64/00

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Concrete; Conferences; Inspection; Loads; Mathematical models; Methodology; Tests; Vehicles; Wood
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ITRD Terms: 8006: Australia; 3455: Bridge; 4755: Concrete; 8525: Conference; 5567: Load; 6473: Mathematical model; 9102: Method; 9101: Surveillance; 6255: Test; 1255: Vehicle; 4506: Wood (mater)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00822104
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-85588-567-X
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 7 2002 12:00AM