• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.223-237
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• 2009

The present research aims to develop a methodology to rapidly assess bridges with damage to the superstructure, caused by overheight trucks or lower-than-average overhead clearance. Terrestrial laser scanning and image processing techniques are combined with the finite element method to arrive at an analytical model which is more accurate, with respect to the complex geometrical aspects of the bridge in its damaged configuration. ""Virtual load testing"" may subsequently be carried out on this analytical model to determine the reserve capacity of the structure in an objective manner.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.661-678
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• 2013

In this paper, a wireless sensing system for structural field evaluation and rating of bridges is presented. The system uses a wireless platform integrated with traditional analogue sensors including strain gages and accelerometers along with the operating software. A wireless vehicle position indicator is developed using a tri-axial accelerometer node that is mounted on the test vehicle, and was used for identifying the moving truck position during load testing. The developed software is capable of calculating the theoretical bridge rating factors based on AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Rating specifications, and automatically produces the field adjustment factor through load testing data. The sensing system along with its application in bridge deck rating was successfully demonstrated on the Evansville Bridge in West Virginia. A finite element model was conducted for the test bridge, and was used to calculate the load distribution factors of the bridge deck after verifying its results using field data. A confirmation field test was conducted on the same bridge and its results varied by only 3% from the first test. The proposed wireless sensing system proved to be a reliable tool that overcomes multiple drawbacks of conventional wired sensing platforms designed for structural load evaluation of bridges.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.70-76
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• 2013

The objective of the paper is to present the results of analytical and experimental studies dealing with dynamic load for continuous steel girder bridges due to normal truck traffic. Various bridge design codes specify dynamic load factor (defined as a fraction of static portion of live load) for short span structures at the level of about 0.3. However, there are not definite values specified for continuous brigdes. Therefore, it is an usual practice to use the code specified dynamic load factors for simple span bridges to continuous bridges without clear background. The field measurement results indicate that the actual dynamic load factors are less than 0.2 for a single truck, and less than 0.05 for two trucks side-by-side, regardless of positive and negative moment region.

• Journal of Applied Reliability
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.241-252
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• 2013

Because of financial and safety concerns, there are needs for more accurate prediction of bridge behavior. Underestimation of the bridge load carrying capacity can have serious economic consequences, as deficient bridges must be repaired or rehabilitated. Therefore, the knowledge of the actual bridge behavior under live load may lead to a more realistic calculation of the load carrying capacity and eventually this may allow for more bridges to remain in service with or without minor repairs. The presented research is focused on the reliability evaluation of the actual load carrying capacity of existing bridges based on the field testing. Seventeen existing bridges were tested under truck load to confirm their adequacy of reliability. The actual response of existing bridge structures under live load is measured. Reliability analysis is performed on the selected representative bridges designed in accordance with AASHTO codes for bridge component (girder). Bridges are first evaluated based on the code specified values and design resistance. However, after the field testing program, it is possible to apply the experimental results into the bridge reliability evaluation procedures. Therefore, the actual response of bridge structures, including unintentional composite action, partial fixity of supports, and contribution of nonstructural members are considered in the bridge reliability evaluation. The girder distribution factors obtained from the tests are also applied in the reliability calculation. The results indicate that the reliability indices of selected bridges can be significantly increased by reducing uncertainties without sacrificing the safety of structures, by including the result of field measurement data into calculation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.21-24
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• 2007

This paper deals with introduction of testing equipments for the evaluation of dynamic tensile characteristics of auto-body steel sheets and the crashworthiness of auto-body members. The servo-hydraulic high speed material testing machine was developed for tensile tests at the intermediate strain rate to obtain the tensile material properties at the strain rate under 500/sec. The split Hopkinson bar apparatus using the elastic wave was developed for dynamic material characteristics at the high strain rate ranged from 1,000 to 10,000/sec. The servo-hydraulic high speed crash testing machine is the equipment for the evaluation of the collapse load and crashworthiness of auto-body members. High speed carrying truck crashes to specimen with the maximum velocity of 17 m/sec.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2022

This paper discusses the field testing of two single-span double-tee girder (DTG) bridges in South Dakota to determine live load distribution factors (LLDFs) and the dynamic load allowance (IM). One bridge had seven girders and another had eight girders. The longitudinal girder-to-girder joints of both bridges were deteriorated in a way that water could penetrate and the joint steel members were corroded. A truck traveled across each of the two bridges at five transverse paths. The paths were tested twice with a crawl speed load test and twice with a dynamic load. The LLDFs and IM were determined using strain data measured during the field tests. These results were compared with those determined according to the AASHTO Standard and the AASHTO LRFD specifications. Nearly all the measured LLDFs were below the AASHTO LRFD design LLDFs, with the exception of two instances: 1) An exterior DTG on the seven-girder bridge and 2) An interior DTG on the eight-girder bridge. The LLDFs specified in the AASHTO Standard were conservative compared with the measured LLDFs. It was also found that both AASHTO LRFD and AASHTO Standard specifications were conservative when estimating IM, compared to the field test results for both bridges.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.201-208
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• 2004

To substitute conventional reinforced-concrete bridge deck, glass composite precast bridge deck - Delta Deck/sup TM/, which possesses advantages of light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance and durability, is developed for the DB24 truck load. Pultruded composite bridge deck is designed and fabricated. To verify serviceability and structural safety, finite element analysis, structural testing such as flexural test, local fatigue test, flexural fatigue test and field tests are conducted. In this paper structural characteristics of developed deck and its field application in Korea is presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.259-274
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• 1998

The test results from non-destructive and destructive field testing of a three-span deteriorated reinforced concrete slab bridge are used as a vehicle to examine the reliability of available tools for finite-element analysis of in-situ structures. Issues related to geometric modeling of members and connections, material models, and failure criteria are discussed. The results indicate that current material models and failure criteria are adequate, although lack of inelastic out-of-plane shear response in most nonlinear shell elements is a major shortcoming that needs to be resolved. With proper geometric modeling, it is possible to adequately correlate the measured global, regional, and local responses at all limit states. However, modeling of less understood mechanisms, such as slab-abutment connections, may need to be finalized through a system identification technique. In absence of the experimental data necessary for this purpose, upper and lower bounds of only global responses can be computed reliably. The studies reaffirm that success of finite-element models has to be assessed collectively with reference to all responses and not just a few global measurements.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2003

The objective of the presented study is to develop an efficient procedure of proof load testing for existing bridges. By analytical methods, some of these bridges are not adequate to carry normal highway traffic. However, the actual load carrying capacity is often much higher than what can be determined by conventional analysis. Proof load testing can reveal the hidden strength reserve and thus verify the adequacy of the tested bridge. Proof load level required for meaningful tests should be sufficiently higher than legal load. In the state of Michigan, the legal 11-axle truck can weigh up to 685 kN. In this study, a combination of two military tanks and two Michigan 11-axle trucks was used. The proof loads were gradually increased to ensure the safety of the test. After each move, measurements were taken. For the considered bridge, stress levels were rather low compared to pre-test analysis results. This is due to incorrect material strength, structural contribution of nonstructural components such as parapets and railings, and partially fixed supports.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.625-638
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• 2016

This paper presents field study and numerical modeling results for a single-cell low-fill concrete box culvert under a flexible pavement subjected to traffic loading. The culvert in the field test was instrumented with displacement transducers to capture the deformations resulting from different combinations of static and traffic loads. A low-boy truck with a known axle configuration and loads was used to apply seven static load combinations and traffic loads at different speeds. Deflections under the culvert roof were measured during loading. Soil and pavement samples were obtained by drilling operation on the test site. The properties of the soil and pavement layers were determined in the laboratory. A 3-D numerical model of the culvert was developed using a finite difference program FLAC3D. Linear elastic models were used for the pavement layers and soil. The numerical results with the material properties determined in the laboratory were compared with the field test results. The observed deflections in the field test were generally smaller under moving loads than static loads. The maximum deflections measured during the static and traffic loads were 0.6 mm and 0.41 mm respectively. The deflections computed by the numerical method were in good agreement with those observed in the field test. The deflection profiles obtained from the field test and the numerical simulation suggest that the traffic load acted more like a concentrated load distributed over a limited area on the culvert. Elastic models for culverts, pavement layers, and surrounding soil are appropriate for numerical modeling of box culverts under loading for load rating purposes.