Abstract

<p>Currently in use, the Bôco Reinforced Concrete (RC) Bridge, built in the early of 20th century, is one of the oldest RC bridges in Portugal. Its initial structural system, erected following the Hennebique system, was retrofitted in the 1960s to support heavy traffic, increasing the section of its structural components. However, the low quality of implemented retrofitting solution has promoted the presence of pathological processes, mainly concrete spalling and steel corrosion. In this context, the present paper shows the first results obtained during the second experimental campaign carried out on the bridge. This campaign comprised the use of several minor and non-destructive methods (laser scanning, operational modal analysis, and laboratory material characterization and mechanical tests), with the aim of improving the knowledge of the bridge and create an accurate numerical simulation (by means of Finite Element Model) to evaluate the safety level of this bridge. Results derived from this campaign, show a bridge with high load capacity, verifying the Ultimate Limit State.</p>

Highlights

  • Nowadays, transportation networks are one of the most important infrastructures of a development country

  • Inside the wide structural typologies presented on these networks, bridges are the most expensive and vulnerable elements [1], for which one of the most used and extended materials is the Reinforced Concrete (RC) [2]

  • The present work shows the first results obtained on the analysis of one of the oldest RC bridges in Portugal: the Bôco Bridge (Fig. 1)

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Transportation networks are one of the most important infrastructures of a development country. Inside the wide structural typologies presented on these networks, bridges are the most expensive and vulnerable elements [1], for which one of the most used and extended materials is the Reinforced Concrete (RC) [2]. This vulnerability, in the case of RC bridges, arises from the combination of multiple factors [3]: (i) aggressive environments, with high presence of humidity and melting salts; (ii) the concretes porosity; and (iii) the volumetric expansion experimented during the corrosion of the steel bars, promoting the cracking of concrete as well as the losing of mechanical adherence between it and the steel bars [4], thereby reducing the service life and structural capacity of these structures.

Experimental campaign
Ambient Vibration Tests
Experimental results
Dynamic identification
Material properties
Numerical model
Model calibration
Rough calibration
Robust updating
Safety evaluation
Conclusions

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.