Testing of the Manitou bridge to determine its safe load carrying capacity

Abstract

The anatomy of a test to realistically determine the safe load carrying capacity of a bridge is presented. Analytically the bridge was declared to be unsuitable for carrying unrestricted traffic and yet the test showed that the bridge was capable of safely sustaining normal loads. The test points out the significance of the structure's response to varying temperatures, and shows that the load carrying capacity of the bridge depends substantially on such interaction of the various components as was not intentionally provided for in the original design.The test was helpful not only in determining the safe load carrying capacity of the bridge but was also instrumental in diagnosing the possible source of distress in the bridge deck slab.