An overview of load testing and proof testing of timber bridges

Since the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) began the field testing of bridges in 1969, it has discovered that most bridges are far stronger than predicted by design. In Australia many older bridges are requiring evaluation and, although they appear to be functioning adequately, the customary evaluation methods inevitably find the bridges are inadequate. MTO has also shown that bridge testing can be a valuable tool in the development of new bridge technology. In Australia, as in Ontario, there are active developments in new timber bridges which could greatly benefit through the field testing of prototypes. This paper briefly reviews MTA's ongoing bridge testing program, beginning with the types of testing and equipment used. It then presents some of the benefits that can be derived through the testing of timber, steel and concrete bridges. The paper concludes by discussing some of the specific attributes of testing timber bridges including the implications it could have in evaluation of both existing and new timber bridges in Australia.