DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF A BRIDGE

Diagnostic load testing is an effective means of locating the sources of weakness and establishing the true load distribution pattern of a bridge. In support of this argument test data is given from an actual load test on a bridge which had experienced some distress in the past, and was not considered safe for carrying normal traffic according to conventional analyses. The sources of distress that were located by the test could be removed by simple remedial measures. By utilizing the enhanced load distribution pattern of the bridge that was also established by the test, the bridge, after minor repairs, was opened to normal traffic.