I rapporten redovisas fältmätningar på fyra broar och provbelastning I laboratoriet av en bro

At a full scale loading test to failure a 50 year old concrete railway trough bridge in Örnsköldsvik, in northern Sweden was tested to failure. The test was a part of the European Research Project “Sustainable Bridges” regarding assessment and strengthening of existing bridges. In the projectnew calculation methods were developed to capture the behaviour of the bridge during increasing load. The bridge was strengthened in bending with rods of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) before the loading test. Failure was reached for an applied load of 11.7 MN by pulling a steel beam placed in the middle of one of the two spans downwards. The achieved failure was a combination of bond, shear, torsion and bending. The developed model, a 3D -non-linear finiteelement (FE) model with discrete reinforcement, gave accurate accounts of the response of thebridge. The FE calculations show the effect of the strengthening with CFRP and even the effect of the epoxy when using the Near Surface Mounted Reinforcement (NSMR) strengthening method.

Routine bridge inspections usually consist of visual observations. These inspections are time-consum-ing and subjective. There is a need to identify new inspection techniques for infrastructure that reducetraffic disturbance, and improve the efficiency and reliability of the acquired data. This study comparedthe performance of three different imaging technologies for the three-dimensional (3D) geometricmodeling of existing structures: terrestrial laser scanning, close-range photogrammetry, and infraredscanning. Each technology was used to assess six existing concrete railway bridges. The technologieswere compared in terms of geometric deviations, visualization capabilities, the level of the inspector’sexperience, and degree of automation. The results suggest that all methods investigated can be usedto create 3D models, however, with different level of completeness. Measurements such as spanlength, deck widths, etc. can be extracted with good accuracy. Although promising, a full off-siteinspection is currently not feasible as some areas of the bridges were difficult to capture mainly dueto restricted access and narrow spaces. Measurements based on terrestrial laser scanning were closerto the reality compared to photogrammetry and infrared scanning. The study indicates the no specialtraining is needed for photogrammetry and infrared scanning to generate a 3D geometric model.

Routine bridge inspections usually consist of visual observations. These inspections are time-consuming and subjective. There is a need to identify new inspection techniques for infrastructure that reduce traffic disturbance, and improve the efficiency and reliability of the acquired data. This study compared the performance of three different imaging technologies for the three-dimensional (3D) geometric modelling of existing structures: Terrestrial laser scanning, close-range photogrammetry, and infrared scanning. Each technology was used to assess six existing concrete railway bridges. The technologies were compared in terms of geometric deviations, visualization capabilities, the level of the inspector's experience, and degree of automation. The results suggest that all methods investigated can be used to create 3D models, however, with different level of completeness.

A deformation criterion is proposed for the fatigue failure of concrete in tension. According to the criterion, a fatigue failure is imminent when the total deformation approaches the deformation at maximum stress in a corresponding static test. This criterion was originally proposed for bond slip by Balázs in 1991. It is tested on two series of new and old concrete cylinders loaded in cyclic tension. How the criterion may be used to predict the number of load cycles to failure for existing structures under cyclic tensile loading is also shown

Externally bonded Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strengthening has been proven to be an efficient and reliable method for structural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) members. However, the beneficial effects of this method can be diminished due to the debonding of the FRP laminates. The mechanism of FRP debonding still requires further research, especially for strengthened members under fatigue loading. To understand and predict the FRP fatigue debonding process better, eleven FRP-concrete joint specimens were tested under static or fatigue loading. Both the theoretical derivation and the experimental study indicated that the debonding growth rate of the FRP laminate depended not only on the mean level (), but also the amplitude () of the applied fatigue load. In addition, the debonded portion of the FRP laminate had a significant impact on the following debonding process due to the friction and mechanical interaction between the debonded FRP and the concrete surface. Therefore, a new nonlinear prediction model is proposed in this paper. The proposed model explicitly took into account the amplitude and the mean level of the fatigue loading, which enabled the effect of both to be modelled. Meanwhile, a correction term was also introduced into the model to account for the influence of the previously debonded FRP laminate. The predicted results of the debonding growth rate and the debonding length agreed well with the experimental results.

At least 20% of existing railway bridges in Sweden are reinforced concrete (RC) trough bridge that consist in a slab carried by two longitudinal main beams. As these bridges are getting old, there is an urging need to assess their remaining capacity with the aim of prolonging their service lives. The limited literature on the topic has pointed out that there is a significant difference between the capacity predicted by available codes and that obtained experimentally. In this paper, a review of the Bridge and Tunnel Management database (BaTMan) of railway infrastructure in Sweden, is carried out to gain an overview of the current state of the Swedish railway bridge, with focus on trough bridges. Then, a non-linear finite element model is calibrated using the experimental results of the previous testing of a decommissioned trough bridge. The model is used in a parametric study where the effect of key mechanical parameters on the capacity of trough bridges is studied. 

This paper presents a practical method for predicting the deflections, including both the flexure and shear contributions, of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. The shear force - shear strain (V-γ) curve of a section in the shear span of RC beams is represented by a piecewise model and the tangent shear stiffness after shear cracking, Kt,cr, is assumed to be constant. A 2D finite element model, which has been validated for predicting shear deformation of RC beams, was used to identify factors that may affect the shear reduction factor (the ratio of Kt,cr to the elastic shear stiffness) and establish methodology for predicting the V-γ curve. Two types of methods, integration-form and closed-form, for predicting the total deflection were developed, in which the flexure-induced deflection (FD) was predicted using the Bischoff model while the shear-induced deflection (SD) was predicted using the method proposed in this paper. Comparison of the predictions with experimental results confirms that the Bischoff model provides reliable predictions of FDs of RC beams with and without shrinkage. It also shows that the proposed method can provide accurate predictions for SD after shear cracking, provided the effect of shrinkage on the shear cracking load is adequately quantified.

Support from: National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51378104) and A Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development ofJiangsu Higher Education Institutions. The Development Fund of the Swedish Construction Industry (SBUF), the Swedish Research Council Formas and Elsa and Sven Thysell Foundation

When in use, reinforced concrete bridge structures not only experience high-frequency fatigue loading caused by passing vehicles, but also suffer from the effects of a corrosive environment. In addition to fatigue damage to reinforcement, long-term fatigue loading also causes concrete cracking and deterioration of pore structures, thereby accelerating the ingress of external corrosive substances and reducing concrete durability. Long-term exposure to a corrosive environment also reduces the performance of concrete and causes corrosion of reinforcement materials, affecting the fatigue performance of the structure. Therefore, there is a combined effect between fatigue loads and corrosion on concrete. This paper is a review of the current literature from a material perspective on the performance degradation of concrete under the combined action of fatigue loading and corrosion, that is, carbonation, chloride ion attack, freeze–thaw cycles, and sulphate attack. The paper includes (1) a description of a test method for examining the combined action of fatigue loading and corrosion, (2) a summary of performance degradation of concrete under the combined effect of fatigue loading and corrosion, and (3) an introduction to durability deterioration models considering fatigue damage, and fatigue models that can account for corrosion. Finally, potential future research on concrete under the combined effect of fatigue loading and corrosion is described.

Noise barriers need to be installed along high-speed railway lines to protect nearby inhabitants from the noise pollution caused by the running of high-speed trains (HSTs). The vertical noise barrier is the main structural type. However, when an HST passes through the noise barriers sited along the track, significant and transient aerodynamic pressure will act on the surface of the noise barriers, resulting in strong dynamic responses and even fatigue damage. Therefore, it is important to determine the train-induced aerodynamic load on the barrier surface and analyze the dynamic behaviors of the noise barriers under such a load for its structural design and to guarantee its safety and durability. This paper is a systematic review of the current literature on the aerodynamic load and dynamic behavior of vertical noise barriers; it includes (1) a summary and analysis of characteristics of such aerodynamic pressure and relevant influencing factors, (2) an introduction to measurement methods of aerodynamic load and relevant pressure models on the surface of noise barriers, and (3) a description of the dynamic response and fatigue analysis of noise barriers under such loads. Finally, potential further studies on this topic are discussed, and conclusions are drawn.

Externally bonded Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) laminates are increasingly used to strengthen Reinforced Concrete (RC) members. However, FRP debonding remains a major drawback of this strengthening method. To better understand the mechanisms of FRP debonding, six RC beams strengthened with prestressed or non-prestressed Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) plates were subjected to static and fatigue loading. CFRP plate debonding was observed in both cases. However, the mechanism of debonding differed: under cyclical fatigue loading, debonding was initiated under both loading points simultaneously and propagated synchronously towards the nearest support whereas in static tests debonding began under a single loading point and progressed suddenly towards its adjacent support. The results also showed that stress redistribution induced coupling between accumulated fatigue damage in the steel reinforcement and fatigue debonding of the CFRP plate, accelerating the fatigue failure of the specimens.

Structural damage detection methods based on modal strain energy usually require complete modes, however, only a small number of sensors are located on the structure in practice. In order to overcome this contradict, an improved structural damage detection algorithm based on modal strain energy is developed in this paper. By divided the contribution of higher modes into two parts, i.e., the static and dynamic contributions, the static term can be expressed by lower modes and dynamic term was approximately approached. It could be applied to detect structural damage location and quantity by using only first one or two modes. The three different simulated structures with the same damaged case are studied in present. The results illustrate that the present method is simple and effective with satisfying precision both in locating the place of damage and estimating the magnitude of damage

Similarities in the behaviour, analysis and design of anchor bolts and punching shear are discussed. The treatment of size effects in codes is compared.

This book presents research findings of applications of fracture mechanics to concrete structures. Key papers from leading experts in the field describe existing and new modelling techniques in the analysis of materials and structures. The book explains the practical application of fracture mechanics to structural modelling, bending, shear, bond and anchorage. The proceedings of this RILEM Workshop is an important reference for those engaged in design, development, research and teaching in the field of concrete structures.

Joints in segmental prestressed concrete bridge (SPCB) are weak links and shear failures are likely to take place under loads. Determining the shear strength is an important part in the design of a SPCB. The shear strength in the joint relates closely to the joint form (as dry joints, epoxy joints, flat joints and keyed joints). The strength can be divided into three main parts: (1) The strength of the dry plane connection, known mainly as concrete surface friction; (2) The strength of the epoxy plane connection; and (3) The strength of the shear key root. This paper analyzes the failure mechanism and shear strength of these three parts .It also considers the influences of the shear key size and the seam height to shear strength, and establishes calculation formulas of the joint section strength in a united form. This provides a guide for the joint design in precast segmental bridges

Results from two RILEM Round Robin Investigations are presented. The first one deals with anchor bolts and the second one with bond and tension stiffening of rebars. Some 30 groups of researches encompassing over 70 people have performed more than 350 tests and analyses in America, Asia, Australia and Europe

Results are presented from a RILEM Round Robin Investigation on tests and analyses of anchor bolts in concrete. About 60 researchers have performed more than 180 tests and 200 analyses in America, Asia, Australia and Europe. The investigation shows that it is possible to reasonably correctly analyse both plane and axi-symmetric anchor bolt problems. However, there are difficulties to overcome and correct boundary conditions are important both in analyses and tests.

Nowadays, prefabricated concrete components made from Steel-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) are widely used in the construction industry. These components are often connected to existing or new structural elements through various fastening systems. Previous studies have shown that the addition of steel fibers to concrete mixture substantially improves the fracture properties of concrete. To date, however, rather limited research is available on the behavior of fastening systems in SFRC. To improve the current knowledge of fastening systems to SFRC structures, a pilot experimental study is carried out on cast-in-place anchor bolts embedded in Plain Concrete (PC) and SFRC members. In this study, the influence of the presence of steel fibers and concrete compressive strength on the anchorage capacity and performance is evaluated. Furthermore, the applicability of current design methods is evaluated for anchorage systems in SFRC.

Various examples are presented on how fracture mechanics can be used to get a better insight into the behaviour of structural concrete components. Special emphasis is given to the phenomenon of size dependence. Since dependence is shown to be a function of a brittleness number which is derived from a simple study of energy. The concept of brittleness has similar features as slenderness -  a well established parameter in the design of elements in compression

The paper gives an overview of Arne Hillerborg's contributions to Fracture Mechanics. Arne Hillerborg was born in 1923 and was a professor at Lund Institute of Technology 1968-1989.

The unsaturated transport of water and ions in concrete structures accelerates the corrosion of reinforcing steel bars. Unfortunately, previous macroscopic and microscopic experimental studies have provided little clarity on the transport mechanisms of ions in calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) gels. This paper presents molecular dynamics simulations performed to investigate the effect of ion species and concentration during unsaturated transport processes. The transport rate of NaCl solutions at any given concentration significantly exceeds that of CaCl2 solutions because of desorption of intralayer calcium ions in the substrate. Additionally, the electric double layer effect of the realistic C-S-H gel substrate is more pronounced in NaCl solution than in CaCl2 solution and becomes stronger as the concentration increases in both cases. These insights into the effects of ion species and concentration on unsaturated ion transport and adsorption in realistic C-S-H gel nanopores will help guide the development of cement-based materials with improved corrosion resistance.

A two-span railway concrete trough bridge over Luossajokk in Kiruna in northern Sweden has been studied. The owner wanted to increase the axle loads from 250 to 300 kN in order to reduce freight costs for iron ore. Examples are given of methods used and results obtained from the assessment where bending, shear and fatigue were studied. Material properties, loads and load carrying capacity were evaluated using deterministic and probabilistic methods. It was shown that the bridge could carry the higher loads with a safety index β > 4.7 for reasonable assumptions of the load distributions. A measurement system was installed to check the actual level of critical strains and the worst positions of the train. Results are also given from a condition monitoring program 2001-2006, launched to periodically check the development of strains with time.

Tests have been carried out at service- and ultimate load levels of a 55 year-old prestressed concrete girder bridge. The bridge, located in Kiruna, Sweden, was continuous in five spans with a total length of 121.5 m. The overall aim of the study was to determinate the accuracy of assessment methods for existing structures and to provide procedures for optimized assessment. Before the tests a 2D finite element (FE) analysis was performed to predict the behavior and load-carrying capacity of the bridge. In order to more accurately assess the bridge response a 3D FE model has now been developed. The actual loading history and material properties has been considered in the model. A Life Cycle Cost Assessment of the bridge has also been performed

Current codes often underestimate the capacity of existing bridges. The purpose of the tests presented here has been to assess the real behaviour and capacity of three types of bridges in order to be able to utilize them in a more efficient way.

The three studied bridges are: (1) Lautajokk – A one-span trough bridge tested in fatigue to check the shear capacity of the section between the slab and the girders; (2) Övik – A two span trough bridge strengthened with Near Surface Mounted Reinforcement (NSMR) of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) tested in bending, shear and torsion; and (3) Kiruna – A five-span prestressed three girder bridge tested to shear-bending failures in the girders and in the slab.

The failure capacities were considerably higher than what the code methods indicated. With calibrated and stepwise refined finite element models, it was possible to capture the real behaviour of the bridges. The experiences and methods may be useful in assessment and better use of other bridges.

Two main railway concrete arch bridges have been investigated in northern Sweden: the Vindel Bridge over the Vindel River with a span of 110 m and the Långforsen Bridge over the Kalix River with a span of 90 m. The bridges were constructed in the 1950s with similar designs. In order to investigate the possibility to increase the axle load from 225 kN to 250kN, two 3-D Finite Element models with shell elements were developed and two field tests were carried out with passing trains and ambient vibrations. The measurement frequencies and mode shapes were studied with the stochastic subspace identification method in the time domain. Based on a comparison of the predictions of the FE analyses and the results of the field tests, the FE models were updated. It was found that it was possible to make good predictions of the actual dynamic response with reasonable assumptions of material properties and joint stiffness in the structure.

To calibrate methods for condition assessment of prestressed concrete (PC) bridges, tests were carried out on a 55 year old five-span bridge with a length of 121 m in Kiruna in northern Sweden. Both non-destructive and destructive full-scale tests were performed. This paper presents results regarding the residual forces in the prestressed reinforcement.

To calibrate methods for condition assessment of prestressed concrete (PC) bridges, tests were carried out on a 55 year old five-span bridge with a length of 121 m in Kiruna in northern Sweden. Both non-destructive and destructive full-scale tests were performed. This paper presents results regarding methods for assessment of the structural capacity of concrete bridges.

A European Integrated Research Project has recently been started within the 6th Framework Program of the European Commission. The project aims at improved methods for the upgrading of existing railway bridges within the European railway network. The main objectives of the project are to increase the transport capacity by allowing higher axle loads and by increasing the maximum speeds. Other objectives are to increase the residual lifetime of existing bridges and to enhance management, strengthening and repair systems. The overall goal is to enable the delivery of improved capacity without compromising the safety and economy of the working railway. A consortium consisting of railway bridge owners, consultants, contractors, research institutes and universities carry out the project, having a gross budget of more than 10 million Euros. Funding from the European Commission covers a major portion of the four-year project costs

Some examples are given of assessment of fastenings to concrete structures and the work started by Rolf Eligehausen in fib Task Group 2.9 “Fastenings to structural concrete and masonry”. Studies have been made on e.g. the influence of creep on adhesive anchors and of surface reinforcement and size effects on headed anchors.

Prestressed concrete bridges are important parts of our infrastructure. They are susceptible to different kinds of deterioration processes. Examples of damages and deficiencies are cracking, corrosion, voids, bond loss, reduction of cover layer, delamination, fatigue and loss of stiffness and strength. This necessitates methods to continuously assess their condition in order to avoid problems that might lead to shorter service life or reduction of structural integrity. Many of the existing prestressed bridges in Europe are now approaching their design life length. However, with proper and continuous inspection, monitoring and assessment, we may plan proactive maintenance and the structural safety can be assured or – if necessary - increased. This will save both money and decrease the environmental impact of the structure.

A finite element (FE) model was calibrated using the data obtained from a full-scale test to failure of a 50 year old reinforced concrete (RC) railway bridge. The model was then used to assess the effectiveness of various strengthening schemes to increase the loadcarrying capacity of the bridge. The bridge was a two-span continuous single-track trough bridge with a total length of 30 m, situated in Örnsköldsvik in northern Sweden. It was tested in situ as the bridge had been closed following the construction of a new section of the Railway line. The test was planned to evaluate and calibrate models to predict the load-carrying capacity of the bridge and assess the strengthening schemes originally developed by the European research project called Sustainable bridges. The objective of the test was to investigate shear failure, rather than bending failure for which good calibrated models are already available. To that end, the bridge was strengthened in flexure before the test using near-surface mounted square section carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars. The ultimate failure mechanism turned into an interesting combination of bending, shear, torsion, and bond failures at an applied load of 11.7 MN (2,630 kips). A computer model was developed using specialized software to represent the response of the bridge during the test. It was calibrated using data from the test and was then used to calculate the actual capacity of the bridge in terms of train loading using the current Swedish load model which specifies a 330 kN (74 kips) axle weight. These calculations show that the unstrengthened bridge could sustain a load 4.7 times greater than the current load requirements (which is over six times the original design loading), whilst the strengthened bridge could sustain a load 6.5 times greater than currently required. Comparisons are also made with calculations using codes from Canada, Europe, and the United States.

The reduction of the structural capacity and eventual collapse of existing concrete bridges is often related to the loss of the initial prestressing forces. This loss can be associated to immediate or time dependent factors such as elastic shortening, creep, relaxation, loading, and cracking, among others. In addition, environmental factors can lead to corrosion of the strands with the subsequent reduction of their area, loss of bond with the concrete and additional cracking which in turn will influence the value of the residual prestress force and the bridge capacity. Therefore, the evaluation of such losses is critical in the decision-making process of defining a financial and environmental cost optimized intervention strategies (e.g., strengthening or replacement). In this paper, a detailed literature review regarding destructive and non-destructive methods for measuring the residual force in prestressed concrete bridges is carried out and used to develop a database of existing experimental tests.