Reinforced concrete highway bridge dynamic assessment method using data obtained by live scale load testing

A moving vehicle generates a dynamic response which is greater than the static because of the interaction between the moving vehicle and bridge superstructure. To evaluate the influence of the passing vehicle, EN 1991-2 uses Dynamic amplification factor (DAF) that is a built-in value in the live load model. A dynamic assessment method was developed using live scale dynamic test results. A method to calculate Dynamic Index (DI) was introduced. Using five criteria, this method allows to assess the bridge dynamic potential. it can be used for new bridges and bridges in use because it takes into account the road roughness index IRI. The 5 criteria used in the method are: natural frequency, damping ratio, span length/height ratio, relative deflection and IRI coefficient. This method was introduced for 3 types of bridges: reinforced concrete slab, pre-stressed concrete slab and pre-stressed concrete ribbed slab with multiple ribs.