FBG optical fibers in proof loading of concrete slab bridges

As the average age of bridges in the Netherlands is increasing and loads are rising, more research on the capacity of these bridges is required. One of the methods to determine if a bridge still has sufficient safety is proof load testing. Stop criteria are values of structural responses at which further loading may course irreversibly damage to...

Parametric Study on the Applicability of AASHTO LRFD for Simply Supported Reinforced Concrete Skewed Slab Bridges

Simplified code provisions can be used for the analysis and design of straight slab bridges. However, several studies question the appropriateness of simplified procedures for skewed geometries. This paper provides practical insights to the designer regarding the effects of skewness in reinforced concrete slab bridges by evaluating how...

Quick Scan model municipal concrete slab bridges: With additional research to the alpha reduction factor and shear force transmission in slab bridges

In this thesis, existing concrete municipal slab bridges are regarded. Many of these bridges were designed and built in the 1960s and 1970s. These bridges are still in service, and subjected to higher and more frequent loads than at the time of design. This leads to uncertainties in the safety of these bridges. Many municipalities become...

Recommendations for proof load testing of reinforced concrete slab bridges

Proof loading of existing bridges is an option to study the capacity when crucial information about the structure is lacking. To define the loading criteria for proof load testing, a review of the literature has been made, finite element models of existing viaducts have been made, and on these viaducts, proof loading tests have been carried out....

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...

Concrete slabs under a combination of loads in shear

Previous experimental research at Delft University of Technology indicated an increased shear capacity of slabs under concentrated loads as a function of decreasing distance to the adjacent line support. Expressions have been derived for this increase, including the definition of an appropriate effective width. However, it is unknown if the...