M12 Project - Bridge over South Creek Load Rating
Load Rating assessment and static load testing to determine the safe allowable live loads that can be applied to this bridge. This existing bridge is to be maintained as a temporary construction access bridge for the new M12 works.
CSS carried out a condition assessment and desktop load rating assessment using advanced FE modelling to determine a theoretical live load allowance. Without existing bridge drawings, the assessment was made based on Vince’s historical records of similar bridge types. The assessment was verified using static load testing using 10T and 20T trucks traversing the bridge. Monitoring of the bridge performance under these loads was carried out using strategically positioned sensors to measure bridge girder deflections and bearing compression. Deflection data was calibrated against the FE model to determine the maximum live load capacity of the bridge deck.
The team is very proud of this project as it enabled an existing infrastructure asset to be integrated into the construction methodology of this major road project without the need to install a new temporary bridge.
Technical innovations achieved
CSS were able to bring their extensive historical knowledge of DMR, RTA & RMS bridge designs to enable effective evaluation and validation of the capacity an existing bridge asset.
Benefits to the client
Benefits included the enabling of using this existing asset for temporary construction traffic to cross South Creek without the need to construct a new temporary bridge.
