Performance Monitoring of Jointless Bridges - Phase III

The third phase of a research project investigating the field performance of jointless bridges is reported. Three integral abutment bridges in Vermont, U.S. have been instrumented and monitored as part of this research. In Part I, general descriptions of the bridges are reported along with the final instrumentation plan for each bridge. Installation procedures are described along with data obtained during the construction process. As the bridges were completed a series of load tests were performed. The live load truck positions and collected data are reported. Three dimensional finite element models of each bridge were developed and are described. The data collected during construction stages and live load testing are analyzed and compared with the results of finite element models. In Part II, the long term data collected including seasonal thermal fluctuations are analyzed and compared with the results of finite element models.