Structural health monitoring (SHM) on a long semi-integral high-speed railway bridge (HSRB) under different traffic loads

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Sisi Zhang - , RWTH Aachen University (Author)
  • Max Käding - , MKP GmbH (Author)
  • Marc Wenner - , MKP GmbH (Author)
  • Martin Claßen - , RWTH Aachen University (Author)
  • Steffen Marx - , Chair of Concrete Structures (Author)

Abstract

In this paper, the structural behaviour of a long semi-integral HSRB, i.e., Unstrut Viaduct, under different traffic loads was studied by both SHM and static calculation using numerical simulation. The demanding requirements of semi-integral HSRB for both flexibility and rigidity were assessed by measuring the deformation of the superstructure and piers under quasi-static loads, as well as the structural responses under braking and high-speed loads, respectively. The results showed that the separating pier of the semi-integral bridge enables larger deformation freedom, which is beneficial to reducing the restrained stresses due to temperature, creep and shrinkage. The separated superstructure here would induce larger pier curvature and a greater warping effect under single-track loading. The coupling of continuous welded rail (CWR) at the bridge joint and the H-connection of the separating pier pair also caused the complex interaction of the two connected structural blocks. The rigidity of the semi-integral HSRB under braking and high-speed loads was also proven. The dynamic longitudinal stiffness under braking loads derived from measurements is unexpectedly 12 times that in the static calculation, showing the robustness and great load-bearing potential of the semi-integral bridge. The initial assumption in the static calculation, which treats the slab track as external loads without stiffness, is a conservative approach. However, incorporating both the mass and stiffness of the slab track into the model generally offers a more realistic prognosis.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number119445
JournalEngineering Structures
Volume325
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-8735-1345/work/178929763

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Braking loads, High-speed railway bridge (HSRB), High-speed traffic, Monolithic piers, Semi-integral bridge, Static and dynamic behavior, Structural health monitoring (SHM)