Long-term monitoring of the track–bridge interaction on an extremely skew steel arch bridge

Abstract

This paper presents the results of long-term monitoring of the track–bridge interaction on a 100-m-long net-arch bridge with the MW steering bar system. Monitoring track–bridge interaction phenomena is a specific type of structural health monitoring (SHM). The paper begins with a thorough description of the configuration of the track and the bridge, and of the monitoring methods that were used. The real behaviour of the track and the bridge during the daily temperature cycles and during train crossings was investigated and the results are presented, together with an evaluation of the plastic shear resistance of the track. In addition, a summary of the measured extreme values and other interesting findings from an evaluation of the long-term monitoring campaign are presented. Recommendations are given on sensor application and on data evaluation. The results are discussed with reference to the requirements of transport management for safe track behaviour, to prevent buckling or cracking of the rail.