Performance of a tied-arch reinforced concrete railway bridge: Rating, safety assessment, and bond length evaluation

Erdogan Uzgider*, Metin Aydogan, Ozden Caglayan, Kadir Ozakgul, Ovunc Tezer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study presents investigations regarding visual inspection, dynamic testing, and finite-element modeling of an approximately 80-year old reinforced concrete tied-arch railway bridge that is still in service in Turkey. Investigations were conducted as part of a systematic periodic inspection along Ankara-Zonguldak railway line. The bridge is subject to heavy freight trains with increasing axle loads. Field tests such as material tests and dynamic tests were used to calibrate the finite-element model of the bridge. Detailed information regarding testing and model updating procedure is given. Based on test results, computer model was refined. The calibrated model of the bridge structure was then used for structural assessment and evaluation. Despite sufficient overall safety, local details were found to be problematic. Due to insufficient bond length in hanger-to-arch connection, a strengthening scheme using steel channel sections was proposed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)366-371
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume23
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Keywords

  • Bridges, arch
  • Bridges, concrete
  • Bridges, railroad
  • Finite element method
  • Rating
  • Reinforced concrete
  • Structural safety
  • Turkey

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