Bridge test. Bridge safety testing: Fid-Bau Portal

Bridge test. Bridge safety testing

Chen, Ming-Cheng

In the safety assessment of reinforced concrete structures, a variety of factors should be considered, such as seismic distance and leading capacity. Also, different requirements call for different testing techniques. This paper discussed the assessment of the deterioration parameters. It is likely that the deterioration of bridges is mainly a result of steel corrosion with the subsequent appearance of cracks. This also serves as a reminder to engineering personnel that appropriate testing is required in undertaking adequate detection and evaluation. The literature reviewed here shouts be a starting point for determining loading capacity. It has been highlighted that testing the following items may be unnecessary: chloride ion detection, concrete carbonation and other invasive testing techniques. In addition, a number of testing techniques were recommended to determine assessment parameters including impact-echo testing to detect internal cracks within the concrete depths and RT for detecting the number of steel bars and their arrangement. As bridge loading capacity is directly related to yielding stress, this parameter is the most difficult to determine, assuming the complete drawings of the structure are unavailable. There are currently no direct NDT techniques for determining the internal reinforcement of yielding stress. Estimates are available, but they may be too conservative, producing unexpected structural shapes from the overall force generated upon the structure. Further research will be necessary in this area. More credible yielding stress values may be determined from the structure's date of construction. This would enable further discussion by engineers to refine the testing process.