Structural Condition Evaluation of an In-Service Glued-Laminated Timber Bridge Based on the Dynamic and Static Testing

Abstract

The structural use of wood has increased steadily in recent times, including a renewed interest in the use of timber as a bridge material. As the only environment-friendly and resource-saving building material, wood has been gradually uesd for short and medium span bridges in China. In 2014, The domestic largest single-span glued-laminated timber (glulam) deck arch bridge crossing a freeway was completed and put into operation in Zhangjiajie City, central China' Hunan province. In order to know the bearing capacity of superstructures and assess its working conditions, in-site static and dynamic testings has been carried out. Many measures including finite element simulation, field test and comparision between test results and calculated results have been employed to study responses of the bridge under static loads and dynamic loads as well. The researches indicate this glulam footbridge has performed well in service and appear to be cost effective when compared with the cost of installing traditional concrete and steel bridges.