Bridges In Poland Research Articles

Reliability and durability assessment of bridge stay cables

An algorithm for the reliability and durability assessment of stay cables in bridges is presented in this study enabling their probability of failure and a safe working period to be determined under various loading scenarios. The algorithm was originally developed based on data collected from an extensive structural monitoring campaign of the biggest single-pylon concrete cable-stayed bridge in Poland and used to assess the durability of its suspension system. It was then modified to be suitable for the evaluation of stay-cables subjected to wind excitation and structural reliability of the suspension system in a real steel bridge where permanent plastic deformations occurred in the anchor zones of the stay cables. The algorithm takes into account analytical models describing the stay cables and their numerical finite element models (FEM). As such, it is a universal tool having a wide range of applications, also beyond stay cables often encountered in medium- and long-span bridges forming a critical part of the civil engineering infrastructure.

Structural Health Monitoring for Dębica Railway Steel Arch Bridge in Poland

The study presents the vibration-based SHM system for the Dębica railway bridge located in Poland. The railway bridge owner was concerned about the excessive and self-excited vibrations of the hangers, the vibration measurement of 8 hangers per span in a total of two spans being monitored. The dynamic responses in both the transverse and longitudinal directions for each hanger under different load events over a nine-month period were recorded and introduced in this paper. The tension force and stress on each hanger are estimated through the natural frequency of the experimental vibration analysis. The proposed approaches could be used to develop a smart alarm system integrated into a vibration-based data-driven SHM system for heavy railway bridges.

The oldest concrete bridge in Poland is in Szczecin!

The oldest concrete bridge in Poland is in Szczecin!

Contemporary steel-concrete hybrid bridges in Poland: examples of small and mid span length structures

Contemporary steel-concrete hybrid bridges in Poland: examples of small and mid span length structures

APPLICATION OF ROLLED SECTIONS IN COMPOSITE BRIDGES WITH SPAN OVER 50 METERS

AbstractSolutions using rolled sections instead of plated beams are strongly developed in Poland [1‐7]. One of the ideas is to use rolled sections HL1100 out of S460 steel for span region and variable height of girder at the piers (using different composite solutions) what has become a standard bridge type for continuous min. 3‐span bridges with internal spans range 50‐60 m. It took less than 10 years to come from the idea to standard market product. Appropriate R&D works have been carried out. The idea of using rolled section leaded to implementation of the double‐composite action and composite dowels and this way new structural forms of bridges appeared in Poland. The driving force for innovation in composite bridges in Poland is the design‐and‐build formula, international collaboration, open‐minded (not so conservative) young engineers and good economy for bridge market in Poland nowadays. In the paper applications of the considered solutions are presented.

Dynamic performance verification of the Rędziński Bridge using portable camera-based vibration monitoring systems

The assessment of dynamic performance of large-scale bridges typically relies on the deployment of wired instrumentation systems requiring direct contact with the tested structures. This can obstruct their operation and create unnecessary risks to the involved personnel and equipment. These problems can be readily avoided by using non-contact instrumentation systems. However, the cost of off-the-shelf commercial products often prevents their wide adoption in engineering practice. To this end, the dynamic performance of the biggest one-pylon cable-stayed bridge in Poland is investigated based on data from a consumer-grade digital camera and open access image-processing algorithms. The quality of these data is benchmarked against data obtained from conventional wired accelerometers and a high-end commercial optical motion capture system. Operational modal analysis is conducted to extract modal damping, which has a potential to serve as an indicator of structural health. The dynamic properties of the bridge are evaluated against the results obtained during a proof loading exercise undertaken prior to the bridge opening. It is shown that a vibration monitoring system based on consumer-grade digital camera can indeed provide an economically viable alternative to monitoring the complex time-evolving dynamic behaviour patterns of large-scale bridges.

Possibilities of Implementation of the System of Automatic Indication of Safe Clearance under the Bridge in Poland

Purpose: In relation to the observed climate changes, the governments of countries- especially those of the European Union- pay more and more attention to the influence of the transport system on the natural environment when creating transport policy. Priority is given to the development of the branches of transport which are least harmful to the environment - rail transport and inland waterways. Due to difficult navigation conditions and poor condition of waterways in Poland, solutions are being implemented to improve the efficiency of inland navigation. One of such solutions is. Approach/Methodology/Design: The first part of the article describes the issues related to inland navigation in Poland, the River Information Services (RIS) system and describes the principles of operation of the system of automatic indication of safe clearance under the bridge. A cost analysis was then made to implement such a system on all bridges with a clearance of less than 5.25 meters on the Oder Waterway. Findings: The system of automatic indication of clearance under the bridge can significantly contribute to safer navigation, more efficient fleet utilization and reduced fuel consumption. Practical Implications: The analysis presented in the paper can serve as a guideline for state authorities and waterway managers regarding the rationale for implementing the system of automatic indication of safe clearance under the bridge and the financial outlays that should be incurred for implementing such a solution. Originality/Value: Inland navigation in Poland is very poorly developed, therefore it is necessary to analyze the possibility of implementing solutions aimed at improving its operation. The system for measuring clearance under bridges is a new solution on a national scale, but one that has a significant impact on the safety and optimization of navigation.

Cover Picture: Steel Construction 4/2021

AbstractSteel and composite bridges offer economic advantages, even for short and medium spans. To simplify and speed up the design process, ArcelorMittal now offers Advance Bridge Expert, a free preliminary design software that includes complex geometries and innovative solutions. The software is suitable for the pre‐dimensioning of curved and/or skewed composite road, railway and pedestrian bridges according to the Eurocodes and several National Annexes. It supports the predesign of steel composite bridges, filler beam bridges and PreCoBeam/composite dowel strips using the hot‐rolled section and modern steel grades libraries of ArcelorMittal up to S460, including HISTAR® grades and weathering steel (Arcorox®) according to EN 10025‐5:2019.The free version of Advance Bridge Expert can be downloaded from the following website: https://sections.arcelormittal.com/design_aid/design_software/EN (© ArcelorMittal)(Photo: Wirkowice composite bridge in Poland: Europe's first road bridge in Arcorox 460® weathering steel. © MOSTY ZAMOŚĆ Tomasz Czyż)

Analysis of Technological Cracks in Welded Joints of Railway Bridges

AbstractWhilst verifying the quality of welded joints in railway bridges in Poland, it was found that many of them contained cracks of technological, fracture and fatigue origin. This problem is associated with early welded bridge structures, in which many technological imperfections were discovered. General data for x‐ray testing on approximately 200 bridges in service are given. The tests were carried out over the period 1967–1990. The number of joints tested was 15 875 and the number of cracks discovered in the joints was 437 in the 34 bridges tested. Repeated tests on the joints containing cracks in time intervals of 5–8 years neither demonstrated further growth in the cracks nor the formation of new cracks. All the cracks discovered were formed during welding operations where there was no service loading. An analysis of the stress levels necessary for the development of crack growth was carried out via fatigue laboratory tests on three butt splice models which were similar to the joints in the bridges tested. Concurrently, the probable stress level near to the cracks was determined analytically. The calculated and measured stresses under service loadings did not exceed empirically assessed weld endurance limits for these joints and confirmed no crack growth. Hot cracks and other welding imperfections in welded joints in structures are permissible if there is neither growth in service nor resistance or rigidity loss of the structure.

Corrosion Assessment of a Weathering Steel Bridge Structure after 30 Years of Service.

The first steel with improved resistance towards atmospheric corrosion, the so-called weathering steel, was patented in the USA in 1933 and was initially used for coal railway cars, and after that, in building and bridge engineering. Weathering steels show higher corrosion resistance than carbon steels in many types of atmosphere due to their ability to form a compact, stable, adherent and protective patina during the time of exposure. Morphological evaluation of the appearance of the corrosion product layer, together with phase analysis of its components, can enable determination of the type of patina and the degree of protection of the steel. To support the visual assessment of a patina, a check based on the qualitative and quantitative phase analysis of its components may be carried out, and the PAI (Protective Ability Index) can be calculated. The estimation of the corrosion processes on original Polish-made weathering steel (12HNNbA) was carried out on a 30-year-old bridge in Poland. There are some structural problems within the deck derived not only from corrosion but also steel cracking, both inside and outside the boxes, at different heights. Fourteen representative samples of patina were analysed and their phase structures were determined by the X-ray powder diffraction method. The PAIs were determined and analysed.

Development and Testing of a Railway Bridge Weigh-in-Motion System

This study describes the development and testing of a railway bridge weigh-in-motion (RB-WIM) system. The traditional bridge WIM (B-WIM) system developed for road bridges was extended here to calculate the weights of railway carriages. The system was tested using the measured response from a test bridge in Poland, and the accuracy of the system was assessed using statically-weighed trains. To accommodate variable velocity of the trains, the standard B-WIM algorithm, which assumes a constant velocity during the passage of a vehicle, was adjusted and the algorithm revised accordingly. The results showed that the vast majority of the calculated carriage weights fell within ±5% of their true, statically-weighed values. The sensitivity of the method to the calibration methods was then assessed using regression models, trained by different combinations of calibration trains.

Concrete failure of composite dowels under cyclic loading during full-scale tests of beams for the “Wierna Rzeka” bridge

Composite dowels with clothoidal shapes constitute a new kind of shear connection that is used in modern composite bridges constructed in the European Union. These dowels are well established, and they are important steps in the development of composite constructions. This new chapter in the development of composite dowels started with the construction of the first railway bridge using composite dowels, which was the “Wierna Rzeka” bridge in Poland, wherein clothoidal-shaped composite dowels were applied for the first time. This structure has been subjected to significant fatigue loads, and the behaviour of this new form of fatigue-resistant composite dowels must be seriously investigated under cyclic conditions. A full-scale beam test under cyclic loading was conducted to investigate the behaviour of the girders and shear connection. Failure of concrete dowels under cyclic loading was the main focus of the test and was finally achieved herein. This paper presents the behaviour and failure mechanism of a composite dowel shear connection due to concrete failure under cyclic loading, which has not been previously reported in the literature. The test presented herein is a beam test with a large steel web thickness (27 mm), which is the first beam test where concrete dowel failure was achieved. However, this is a test of a so-called general composite section, and the complicated behaviour of such a structure differs from that of a standard composite section.

Firsts Post-Tensioned Slab Bridges in Poland — the Bridge in Pawia Street in Lublin

Firsts Post-Tensioned Slab Bridges in Poland — the Bridge in Pawia Street in Lublin

Measurements of the Vertical Displacements of a Railway Bridge Using TLS Technology in the Context of the Upgrade of the Polish Railway Transport.

The railway system in Poland is undergoing technological transformation. The development of the Polish railway system concerns not only high-speed trains but also infrastructure. The steel bridge is the most popular type of railway bridge in Poland. Most of them were built in the 1950s and 1960s. According to the recommendations in place in Western Europe, such railway bridges should be reviewed in terms of their fitness for use with modern high-speed trains. The modern technological revolution affects not only the railway, but also developments in displacement and deformation measurement techniques. New technologies provide more objective measurement results and accelerate results processing. They also facilitate the non-contact measurement of bridge structure stability. The authors investigated the vertical displacement of an old steel railway bridge in three different, specific case studies of terrestrial laser scanning data application. Then, the results of 3D data were compared with traditional land surveying results. The scientific results led to a conclusion that a strictly determined methodology of the measurement and analysis of a terrestrial laser scanner results supported by traditional land surveying techniques facilitates the determination of the vertical displacement of bridges with acceptable accuracy.

An expert fuzzy system for management of railroad bridges in use

Management of railroad bridges constitutes a typical decision-making problem which arises from the necessity to allocate limited financial resources to maintenance and repair work. It is a multiple criteria issue consisting in the arrangement of bridges with regards to the level of structure degradation which is decisive for the safety level of their users. So far, despite a large number of suggested calculation models, mainly of probabilistic character, no method has been noticed that would allow to rank any number of bridges taking into consideration a full variety of structure and material solutions. Therefore, in order to meet the need for a more effective model, an innovative approach has been proposed using the aggregated calculation algorithm which combines the modified Extent Analysis Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (EA FAHP) method and the Dominant Analytic Hierarchy Process (DAHP) one. It is a decision-making and calculation model which allows to reflect the actual assessment processes in a more favourable manner, as well as to take into account the diversity of solutions with respect to materials and structure of bridges. An example was given of the application of the suggested method on the selected group of railroad bridges in Poland that have been in use for over 50 years. The selected structures have more diverse structures of decks and are more prone to damage than road bridges. Due to the lack of algorithms similar to the one discussed within this paper, it was verified in a limited scope with the use of two different methods by way of comparing the accordance of bridge ranking which is of importance for making a decision concerning the performance of maintenance and repair work. • there was presented a new hybrid algorithm, combining the EA FAHP and the DAHP methods, • the algorithm allows for reference arrangement of any number of bridges focusing on their technical condition assessment, • implementation of the reference model allows to analyse bridges of diverse solutions materials and structure, • an example of application of the algorithm based on the selected railroad bridges was given thus confirming its efficiency, • the algorithm was verified with the use of two different models by way of comparing the accordance of bridge ranking.

Stiffness and strength evaluation of a novel FRP sandwich panel for bridge redecking

The objective of the research described in the paper was the structural development of a FRP composite bridge deck intended for manufacturing and application in road bridges in Poland, mainly for redecking the deteriorated bridge slabs. The appropriate shape of the sandwich bridge deck panel, its overall structure, constituent materials and the associated cost-effective manufacturing technology were determined following a comprehensive analysis of the similar solutions recently developed worldwide. In the first stage three different small-scale deck panel prototypes were designed and fabricated, assuming the various core configuration of the sandwich structure. Based on manufacturing tests and initial static tests the feasibility and stiffness of all prototypes were assessed to select the optimal deck solution in terms of material, structure and technology. In the second stage of the research a full-size 2.0 × 5.0 m bridge deck panel was designed taking into account the bridge loading according to Eurocode 1. The full-size bridge deck prototype was subjected to a series of static load tests simulating the relevant load. The tests confirmed the appropriate stiffness and load carrying capacity of the novel FRP bridge deck panel, quite similar to performance characteristics of other FRP bridge decks implemented worldwide. However, the necessary technological and research works on the novel sandwich bridge deck panel in order to increase its safety level were also outlined.

Analysis of Changes of Forces and Normal Stress in Extradosed Tendons of the MS-3B Bridge Located on the Ring Road in Ostróda

The article discusses the analyses of a numerical model of an extradosed bridge built as part of the project called “Construction of S7 expressway connecting Miłomłyn and Olsztynek, together with construction of Ostróda Bypass as a section of national road no. 16.” The constructed facility fits in with the global trends of construction of next generation concrete bridges with tensioned tendons. The bridge is the best in its class in Europe in terms of the length of its main span. It is also one of the first concrete bridges in Poland which have been built using cantilever technology in which the extradosed tendons were stressed during construction process. The article contains, in particular, the selected results of the analyses related to changes of forces and normal stresses in extradosed tendons depending on live loads to which the bridge was exposed during the service phases, while accounting for environmental and rheological as well as passage of time.

Structural Health Monitoring System of a Concrete Cable-Stayed Bridge

Abstract In this paper a system of the Rędziński bridge will be described. The Rędziński bridge is the biggest object along the A8 motorway around the city of Wrocław and the biggest concrete cable-stayed bridge in Poland. For the purposes of the bridge monitoring a system of 222 sensors was installed. Results from the first 5 years of work of the SHM will be presented below.

Przypadki awarii obiektów mostowych w trakcie procesu sprężania

The paper describes two typical cases of failure of pre-stressing cables during the construction of concrete bridges in Poland. In both cases failure occurred during the tensioning of cables and consisted of the sudden loosening of the cables as well as a destruction of the concrete in the zone under the curvilinear section of a cable. Based on a review of documentation, especially the drawings of zones of failures, and also finite element analysis, it can be concluded that the structure did not have enough reinforcement bars to transfer the tensile forces occurring on the inner curvature of the cables. Therefore, the tensile stresses occurring in these places were only transferred by the concrete. This is contrary to the basic principle of reinforced concrete, which states that tensile forces should be transferred by the reinforcement and compressive forces should be withstood by concrete.

Extradosed Bridges in Poland—Design and Construction

The road and railway infrastructure in Poland has been intensively developed and modernized for the last years. Around 300 new bridges are built annually. Among the new structures there is a group of modern extradosed bridges. This paper presents examples of short-, medium- and long-span extradosed bridges designed and built in recent years in Poland. The following structures are described in details: - the first Polish extradosed bridge; - two-span landmark viaduct over motorway; - multi-span curved motorway bridge; - the longest Polish extradosed bridge; - tramway extradosed bridge; - conceptual designs. The paper is concluded with geometrical parameters characterising presented structures. The parameters are compared with values obtained for cable stayed bridges and extradosed bridges built worldwide.