Field testing of a long-span arch steel culvert during backfilling and in service

Abstract

Abstract The paper presents the first part of the in-situ measurements and data analyses for the tests conducted during backfilling and during service of a long-span corrugated steel culvert railway bridge over Skivarpsån, Rydsgård, Sweden. Static and dynamic tests were carried out measuring strains and displacements. Temperature readings were taken along with the measurements. Comparisons of moments during compaction showed that there is good agreement between test results and theoretical values. The theoretical calculation of the rise of the crown during compaction and the crown moments due to live load seem to be conservative, while the theoretical axial forces agree reasonably with the measured axial forces. Keywords: CulvertsRailway bridgesDynamic loadsField testsMonitoringInstrumentation Acknowledgements The funding of this project is provided by the Swedish National Railway Administration (Banverket), ViaCon AB and KTH who are sincerely acknowledged. The authors would also like to thank the laboratory technicians Claes Kullberg and Stefan Trillkott for their hard work in performing the tests and to Lars Pettersson for providing the theoretical calculations and sharing his knowledge whenever needed. Notes First published online 19 May 2005. Additional informationNotes on contributorsEsra Bayoğlu Flener First published online 19 May 2005.