Structural Integrity, Safety, and Durability of Critical Members and Connections of Old Railroad Bridges Under Dynamic Service Loads and Conditions

Details

• Creators:
  de Oliveira, Celso ; Anand, Rahul ; Tripathi, Sachin ; Malla, Ramesh B.
• Corporate Creators:
  University of Connecticut. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering ; University of Maine. Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC)
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Accelerometers Aging (Materials) Aging Railroad Bridges Construction Deterioration Dynamic Loads Evaluation Finite Element Method Infrastructure Interaction Ratio Laser Doppler Velocimeters Methodology Natural Frequencies Railroad Bridges Sensitivity Analysis Truss Bridges Vertical Displacement Vertical Supports Vibrometers

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• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; New England
• Edition:
  Final Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  University of Maine. Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC)
• Abstract:
  Many railway bridges in New England were designed and constructed over a century ago, using now-outdated design codes and materials, making them susceptible to damage under modern service loads. These aging structures and their critical members such as eye-bars, pins, and gusset plates, are showing signs of deterioration, including corrosion, fatigue, and cross-sectional loss. This research aims to investigate the structural behavior of these critical components in old truss-type steel railroad bridges under dynamic loads and performance conditions, with a specific focus on the Devon Bridge and Cos Cob Bridge. The study also seeks to develop methodologies that can be applied to similar aging bridges throughout the region. The research incorporates field testing, finite element (FE) modeling, and sensitivity analysis to evaluate the structural integrity of critical bridge components. Starting with a critical review of past issues and failures, the study authors worked closely with New England’s Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and railroad companies to collect reliable data on bridge types and connection problems. Field tests were conducted on the Devon and Cos Cob bridges, using Laser Doppler Vibrometers (LDV) and accelerometers to measure vertical displacements and natural frequencies during train traversals. These data were then used to calibrate FE simulations, which replicate various operational scenarios such as cross-sectional loss and increased dynamic loads. Sensitivity analysis was employed to further refine the models, emphasizing dynamic behavior, impact, and material aging. The results show a strong correlation between the field data and FE simulations, validating the models for structural health assessment. Critical members and connections were identified as being at high risk of failure due to significant deterioration. Recommendations are provided for targeted maintenance and rehabilitation strategies to extend the lifespan of these vital transportation assets. This research contributes to the ongoing preservation of aging infrastructure by providing a robust, scalable methodology for pinpointing, evaluating, and mitigating damage in steel truss bridges. By combining analytical, computational, and experimental techniques, this research offers a comprehensive strategy for understanding and addressing the challenges faced in maintaining aging railroad bridges. The findings are particularly relevant for structures like the Devon and Cos Cob bridges, but the approach is adaptable for broader application across other aging bridges in the region.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  69A3551847101
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:37ee8d23f5855b6fd2593f77658d400f0dd03bba9835c4e20893b3a085836257ab141bb07636fa83cb13068b5a96a5ecd14f2807eee2a73a2584a90c3a6e63cf
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88722/dot_88722_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 8.31 MB ]