Direct measurement of dynamics in road bridges using a bridge weigh-in-motion system

Abstract

Abstract.A method is presented of measuring a bridge's characteristic allowance for dynamic interaction, in the form of Assessment Dynamic Ratio (ADR). Using a Bridge-Weigh-in-Motion (Bridge WIM) system, measurements were taken at a bridge in Slovenia over a 58-day period. From the total observed traffic population, 5-axle trucks were extracted and studied. The Bridge WIM system inferred the static weights of the trucks, giving each measured event's dynamic increment of load. Theoretical simulations were carried out using a 3-dimensional vehicle model coupled with a bridge plate model, simulating a traffic population similar to the population measured at the site. These theoretical simulations varied those properties of the 5-axle fleet that influence the dynamic response; simulating multiple sets of total (dynamic + static) responses for a single measured static strain response. Extrapolating the results of these theoretical simulations to a 50-year ADR gives similar results to those obtained by extrapolating the data measured using the Bridge WIM system. A study of the effect of Bridge WIM system errors on the predictions of ADR is conducted, identifying a trend in the Bridge WIM calculations of maximum static response. The result of this bias is in turn quantified in the context of predicting characteristic maximum total load effect.

Determination of load equivalency factors by statistical analysis of weigh-in-motion data

“…The versatility of the data acquired, which enabled, amongst others, the use of actual loads of heavy vehicles for pavement and bridge monitoring (e.g. OBrien et al 2013), pavement design and especially in law enforcement (excess weight control, fining), lead to a fast worldwide spread of WIM sites and the further development of the measuring technologies with regard to accuracy at high speeds, durability, filtering and quality assurance of the data acquired. Guidelines and specifications of WIM sites were assessed in the COST 323: Weigh-in-Motion of Road Vehicles action between 1992-1999, which aimed at unifying the technological aspects of the technology across Europe.…”

Management of Truck Loading Weight: A Critical Review of the Literature and Recommended Remedies

“…However, the use of WIM is sophisticated and expensive because of Australia's vast distances, dispersed roads and highways. Furthermore, the use of telematics is disputed within the trucking industry and between the industry and the government in relation to whether it should have a regulatory function in order to make the data collected available to regulators to check industry compliance with the rules [11] [12] [13].…”

Direct field measurement of the dynamic amplification in a bridge

“…Guidelines are provided in [24] and [25] on how to obtain a site-specific value for dynamic allowance, both numerically and by field measurement. A Bridge WIM system was used to record the total response and to infer the static response of about 74 000 5-axle trucks over the course of a 58-day period.…”