Evaluation of Bridge Performance and Rating through Non-destructive Load Testing

Non-destructive load testing can be used as a tool to better understand the field behavior of bridges. Equipment to conduct non-destructive load testing was acquired and used to test two distinctly different bridges that are part of the bridge infrastructure in Vermont. One of the bridges, an old (1920s) reinforced concrete bridge had deteriorated over many years in service and currently carries heavy quarry trucks along its three spans. The other bridge, a non-composite steel bridge on interstate 91, was locally damaged by an over height truck as it passed underneath it. Results from the field tests on these two bridges were used to assess the effects of deterioration and damage on the bridge behavior. Additionally, the results were used to estimate a load rating number for these two bridges consistent with the field measurements taken during the load tests. No detrimental effects of damage or deterioration on bridge performance could be inferred from the non-destructive field test results.

• Record URL:
  http://vtransengineering.vermont.gov/sites/aot_program_development/files/documents/materialsandresearch/completedprojects/AOT-BridgeLoadingFinalReport2009-01-07.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Massachusetts, Amherst

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  130 Natural Resources Road
  Amherst, MA  United States  01003

  Vermont Agency of Transportation

  1 National Life Drive, Drawer 33
  Montpelier, VT  United States  05633-0001
• Authors:
  • Jeffrey, Andrew
  • Brena, Sergio F
  • Civjan, Scott A
• Publication Date: 2009-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 271p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deterioration; Field tests; Highway bridges; Load tests; Nondestructive tests; Reinforced concrete bridges; Steel bridges
• Uncontrolled Terms: Damage (Bridges); Load rating (Bridges)
• Geographic Terms: Vermont
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01358513
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Report No. 2009-1
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 1 2011 4:35PM