SWISS TESTING OF MEDIUM SPAN BRIDGES

The first part of the report covers the experiences gained by EMPA through a large number of dynamic loading tests. The main result is that bridges with a fundamental natural frequency of between approximately 2.5 Hz and approximately 4 Hz are most susceptible to the dynamic actions of vehicles with steel leaf suspensions. This effect is known as "frequent matching." The second part of this report describes the layout, execution and preliminary results of dynamic bridge loading tests performed in Switzerland in the context of the OECD DIVINE Research Project in 1994. The test vehicle was a five-axle tractor-semitrailer where the suspension system could be changed between steel leaf and air and which was instrumented to measure the dynamic wheel loads. The three bridges tested were selected so as to produce frequency matching between their fundamental natural frequency and the wheel load frequencies associated with the respective suspension system. The test results confirmed the existence of frequency-matching effects. Vehicles with modern suspensions seem however not to be a severe danger for medium to long span highway bridges. The validity of this statement has to be checked for rough pavement conditions which were not covered by the tests. (a) For the covering entry of this Conference, see IRRD abstract no. 868186.

• Record URL:
  http://arrbknowledge.com
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0731036301
• Corporate Authors:

  ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY (RTA)

  PO BOX K198
  SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES  Australia  1238
• Authors:
  • Cantieni, R
  • BARELLA, S
• Conference:
  • DYNAMIC LOADING OF HEAVY VEHICLES AND ROAD WEAR MID-TERM SEMINAR, PROCEEDINGS, 2-3 FEBRUARY 1995, PARKROYAL HOTEL AT DARLING HARBOUR, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
• Publication Date: 1995

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 10 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Conferences; Frequency (Electromagnetism); Loads; Loss and damage; Suspension systems; Test procedures; Vehicles
• Geographic Terms: Switzerland
• ITRD Terms: 3455: Bridge; 8525: Conference; 1614: Damage; 6997: Frequency; 5567: Load; 1329: Suspension (veh); 8110: Switzerland; 6288: Test method; 1255: Vehicle
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00717828
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-7310-3630-1
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 20 1996 12:00AM