Load Testing & Evaluation of Five Fixed and Movable Bridges

SDR was tasked to evaluate five bridges located along Louisiana State Highway 82 through load testing coupled with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) with the aim of removing the current load posting. The tested controlling spans comprised low truss swing spans; plate girder swing spans; steel I-beam approach spans; CIP concrete slab approach spans; and precast concrete slab spans. Test results revealed that, the actual performance of the test bridges is more favorable than what is estimated by design codes. Load rating of the controlling spans was revised considering test findings and FEA results, which resulted in removing the posting weight.

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