Investigation of the behavior of the cable-stayed bridge under test load

Abstract

A field load testing is an effective method for understanding the behavior and fundamental characteristics of cable-stayed bridges. This paper presents results of the behavior of the reconstructed cable-stayed bridge over river Danube in Novi Sad under test load. The bridge was built between 1976 and 1981 and in 1999 was heavily damaged by two Tomahawk missiles. In 2003 process of the reconstruction began and at the end of 2005 Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade was invited to test reconstructed bridge structure. The results of static load testing presented herein include displacements, rotations and strains of the 351 m long main span. Vibrations of the bridge were obtained by impact load produced by heavy truck passing the bridge and the time history response of vertical accelerations was recorded. The frequency content of the signals was determined using Fourier transformation and five flexural natural periods were extracted. The geological structure and engineering properties of the soil are also given. A finite element model of the bridge was made and a good agreement is achieved between the experimental and analytical results. These results have shown that the bridge is in the elastic state under the code-specified serviceability load, which indicates that the bridge has adequate load-carrying capacity and can be put safely into service.