Methodology For Calculation Of Bridge Safety Factor In Lithuania

Abstract

The paper reviews the United States and Slovenian safety factor calculation methodologies and proposes a method for more accurate estimation of residual strength of bridges designed and built in Lithuania. For more detailed analysis, the main parameters and defects directly affecting the strength of the bridges were analysed in detail, and the flows of heavy vehicles, which have significantly increased for previously designed bridges, were assessed.This article proposes to calculate the dynamic factor of bridges, not according to the empirical formulas used in the United States and Slovenian safety factor calculation methodologies, but after performing the bridge dynamic test, because the results of Lithuanian bridge dynamic tests show that the parameter strongly depends on smoothness and damage of carriageway wearing surface. In order to evaluate the suitability of the Lithuanian bridge safety factor calculation methodology proposed in this article, a real bridge was selected, and its safety factors calculated according to the above mentioned and proposed methodology and the results obtained were compared.