Monitoring structural responses during proof load testing of reinforced concrete bridges: A review

Proof load testing can be an interesting method to assess existing bridges for which analytical methods are unable to provide an accurate assessment. In a proof load test, a load representative of the factored live load is applied to the bridge. If the bridge can carry this load without distress, the proof load test is success-ful, and the...

Development of Stop Criteria for Proof Loading

Proof loading of bridges is an option to study existing bridges when crucial information is lacking. When proof loading is chosen, the question arises which maximum load should be attained during the test to demonstrate sufficient capacity, and which criteria, the “stop criteria”, based on the measurements during the test, would indicate that...

The shear capacity of reinforced concrete members with plain bars

Assessment of the capacity of the existing infrastructures has become more relevant in the recent years. With regard to the concrete bridges, the shear capacity of a large amount of existing concrete slab bridges reinforced with plain (smooth) bars are of concern. However, it was argued that the shear formula that is currently adapted in the...

Investigation of v min based on experimental research

This paper presents an experimental research program aiming at assessing the current code provisions of vmin. A large test series was carried out, by varying the reinforcement ratio and loading conditions, the minimum average shear stress that can cause shear failure of a specimen with different depth, concrete strength is determined. The three...

Proof load testing of the viaduct De Beek

Proof load testing can be a suitable method to show that a bridge can carry the required loads from the code without distress. This paper addresses the preparation, execution, and analysis of a proof load test on a four-span reinforced concrete solid slab bridge, viaduct de Beek. The bridge has one lane in each direction, but was restricted to a...

Stop criteria for proof load tests verified with field and laboratory testing of the Ruytenschildt Bridge

As the existing bridge stock is aging, improved assessment methods such as proof load testing become increasingly important. Proof load testing involves large loads, and as such the risk for the structure and personnel can be significant. To capture the structural response, extensive measurements are applied to proof load tests. Stop criteria,...