FIELD TESTING OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE HIGHWAY BRIDGE TO COLLAPSE

A three-span reinforced concrete slab bridge was loaded to collapse. The slab was 9.75 m (32 ft) wide and 30.5 cm (12 in) thick, and on each edge was cast a 92 by 25.4-cm (34 by 10-in) curb. Loading was produced by hydraulic rams that were reacted to by overhead steel beams attached to the piers by tension rods through the slabs. the load was increased at intervals, and at each interval deflection and strain on the concrete surface were measured. The strength of the concrete and steel materials was more than the design minimum values; average cylinder strength was 47.33 MPa (6865 lbf/in square) compared with a design value of 20.68 MPa (3000 lbf/in square), and average steel coupon yield strength was 365.77 MPa (53 050 lbf/in square) compared with a design value of 275.79 MPa (40 000 lbf/in square). The results indicate that (a) the measured concrete stresses were lower than the calculated values; (b) the load causing first permanent set was accurately predicted by calculaing the yield moment in the slab; (c) the collapse load was accurately predicted by considering the formation of yield moments along the centerline and over the piers of the bridge for a channel section loaded around its weak axis; and (d) based on the line load for the center span, it would take 8 HS20-44 trucks placed in the center of the bridge to cause any permanent deflection and 20 HS20-44 trucks to cause collapse. /Author/

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1976/607/607-013.pdf
• Record URL:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Dynamics and Field Testing of Bridges. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Jorgenson, James L
  • Larson, Wayne
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 66-71
• Monograph Title: Bridge design, testing, and evaluation
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 607
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Bridge piers; Bridge superstructures; Collapse; Deflection; Field tests; Highway bridges; Load tests; Reinforced concrete; Strain (Mechanics); Strength of materials; Stresses; Trucks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge spans; Steel beams
• Old TRIS Terms: Strains
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Motor Carriers;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00157817
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309025826
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 28 1977 12:00AM