FULL-SCALE LABORATORY TESTING OF A TIMBER TRESTLE RAILROAD BRIDGE CHORD (PHASE 1)

A laboratory test program was conducted on full-scale specimens replicating the main elements of a timber trestle railroad bridge chord. Previous field load testing had been done and was complicated by differing site-specific conditions. The purpose of the ongoing laboratory study described herein is to compare field test results with controlled laboratory tests. A three-span bridge chord similar to that of the field bridge was constructed. It was then disassembled and reassembled into a two-span, and then into a one-span, specimen. Load testing was conducted on each specimen to examine the service load behavior of the specimens. Single-point and two-point loadings were used to simulate single and double axles of trains. Comparisons were made between the laboratory results, elementary analytical beam models, and a semi-continuous beam model. Unintended uplift occurred at the supports in the laboratory test set-up. Analytical modeling was modified to reflect this and improve predictions of the response. Additional laboratory tests are recommended on a specimen with support conditions modified to eliminate the uplift.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=435
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/39743
• Corporate Authors:

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108
• Authors:
  • Gutkowski, R M
  • Doyle, K R
  • Balogh, J
• Publication Date: 2002-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 68 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Laboratory tests; Load tests; Railroad bridges; Railroad trains; Supporting; Timber; Trestles; Uplift pressure
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00939312
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Report No. 02-139
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 4 2003 12:00AM