Evaluation of Riveted Railway Bridge Using Experimental-Numerical Analyses

Abstract

<p>Railway bridges represent crucial points within railways, because of its strategy meanings in transportation infrastructure. During the decades of exploitation, degradation processes and external influences attack the bridge structures. Typical 70-years old riveted railway bridge with main plate girders and the upper member deck is analysed in the paper. Load-carrying capacity, possible reserves and analysis of critical details are presented. Provisions of the new guideline for determination of load-carrying capacities of railway bridges were applied. Data needed for numerical analysis and subsequent calculation were supported by enhanced diagnostics and measurements. Actual behaviour of the whole structure and chosen members, respectively, were verified by the static and the dynamic load tests. Both the researches academics from the university and the R&amp;D institute staff of the state railway administrator were involved in this pilot project.</p>