{"id":10700,"date":"2023-06-15T07:26:01","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T07:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rocktech.com.au\/?post_type=portfolio&p=10700"},"modified":"2023-06-28T02:30:04","modified_gmt":"2023-06-28T02:30:04","slug":"aging-steel-bridges-load-assessment","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/rocktech.com.au\/staging-site\/aging-steel-bridges-load-assessment\/","title":{"rendered":"Case Study: Aging Steel Bridges Load Assessment using FEA Plus \u2013 Sensors and FL"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”middle” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1686813421177{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 50px !important;padding-top: 150px !important;padding-bottom: 150px !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/rocktech.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Aging-Steel-Bridges-cover.jpg?id=10701) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Case Study: Aging Steel Bridges Load Assessment using FEA Plus \u2013 Sensors and FL” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:50|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:1.5″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row gap=”35″ content_placement=”middle” container_wrap=”yes” no_bottom_margin=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1686185254184{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”5\/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1686186189374{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Rockfield has assessed many steel truss bridges using advanced finite element (FE) modelling to analyse and determine their load capacities to AS5100.6:2017 standards. The use of finite element analysis (FEA) on bridges together with field data obtained from structural health monitoring, especially on steel structures, has improved the load rating compared to traditional methods.” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:27|text_align:left|color:%23228c3d|line_height:1.5″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1686813484029{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section css=”.vc_custom_1674191366385{margin-bottom: 50px !important;border-top-width: 1px !important;}”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text]One of the major railway asset owners operates and maintains a series of steel truss bridges over major water crossings on the east coast of Australia. The bridges vary in age, from circa 1880\u2019s to 1960\u2019s.<\/p>\n

As structures age and their loadings change, managing asset integrity becomes critical for the asset owners. Normally, traditional engineering methods are used for assessing a bridge\u2019s load capacity, but these method scan sometimes be overly conservative and not cost-effective for asset owners.<\/p>\n

To help the asset owner improve the load capacity of bridges and carry out more cost effective maintenance work, Rockfield was engaged to conduct a detailed load capacity assessment and determine the fatigue and remnant life of 13 bridges. The company used finite element modeling and combined it with field data obtained from structural health monitoring, resulting in a more accurate assessment and load rating of the bridges.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Project overview:<\/strong><\/h6>\n

One of the 13 bridges was a heritage listed bridge that was constructed in 1925. The bridge is approximately 170 m long, consisting of 1 x 80 ft, 1 x 200 ft, 2 x 120 ft truss spans and 1 x 47 ft girder span, with 3 x concrete filled cast iron piers and 2 x concrete abutments.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This project consisted of the following tasks:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
    \n
  1. Instrumentation and structural health monitoring.<\/strong>
    \nAn instrumentation system was installed to measure strains in truss members at key locations on each span. Load cases of the locomotive for the static test were developed in the FE model.<\/li>\n
  2. Structural modelling and analysis.<\/strong>
    \nOur team used the ANSYS software package to determine the truss load rating\/ capacities and determine the fatigue\/remnant life. Non-linear stress-strain, eigenvalue buckling and pre-deformed\/displaced geometries form the basis of the analysis process. The reported corrosion was reviewed and rationalised\/ simplified for modelling purposes. Non-linear elastic-plastic material properties have been considered for the ultimate limit state analysis and allowing for a more accurate and reliable evaluation of a structure\u2019s capacity.<\/li>\n
  3. Develop method of rational.<\/strong>
    \nThe rational method for the braking and traction forces were determined using first-principles approach based on bridge-specific design parameters specified by the railway asset owner.<\/li>\n
  4. Substructure analysis including detailed headstock FEA assessment. <\/strong><\/li>\n
  5. Bearing replacement concept design and 3rd party review of detailed design. <\/strong><\/li>\n
  6. Corrosion and repairs procedures.<\/strong>
    \nRockfield developed repair and replacement procedures and drawings for defects that were determined through assessments, inspections, and previous work, as well as those that were specifically identified by the client. Additional goals included ensuring repairs are practical, cost-effective, and maximise capacity.<\/li>\n
  7. Probabilistic assessment for allowable corrosion and load rating.<\/strong>
    \nThis assessment utilises a philosophy similar to the limit states assessment but allows for a more thorough\/detailed determination of load\/resistance variability and calculation of the Probability of Failure.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Speak to one of our experts today” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:28|text_align:left|color:%23228c3d|line_height:1.5″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1675917091643{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space][lab_team_members layout_type=”visible-titles” columns_count=”4″ reveal_effect=”fadeIn-one” hover_style=”none”][lab_team_members_member link=”url:mailto%3Adaniel.whipp%40rocktech.com.au%3Fsubject%3DWebsite%20Enquiry”][lab_team_members_member image=”9584″ name=”Daniel Stephenson” sub_title=”Engineering Manager | Associate Technical Director \u2013 Structural” link=”url:mailto%3Adaniel.stephenson%40rocktech.com.au%3Fsubject%3DWebsite%20Enquiry”][lab_team_members_member image=”9577″ name=”David Han” sub_title=”Structures Lead | Technical Director” link=”url:mailto%3Adavid.han%40rocktech.com.au%3Fsubject%3DWebsite%20Enquiry”][\/lab_team_members][vc_empty_space height=”100px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”middle” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1674191541710{border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/rocktech.com.au\/staging-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Rockfield-Request-Capability-Statement-brochure-banner.jpg?id=8407) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”8613″ img_size=”medium” css_animation=”fadeInUp”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_custom_heading text=”Download our Capability Statement brochure today” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:27|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:1.5″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”fadeInUp”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp”]Rockfield have vast expertise navigating challenges and finding smart solutions. Download our Capability Statement to find out more.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column css_animation=”fadeIn” width=”1\/2″]