Diagnostic Load Testing of New Bridges
Santiago Zaruma, M.Sc.
Structural Engineer
ADSTREN Cía. Ltda.

Overview
- Introduction
- Load Testing of Los Pajaros Bridge
- Load Testing of La Armenia Interchange
- Conclusions

- Diagnostic testing: verification of design
- Deflections
- Load levels  around 60% of design vehicular live load (AASHTO HL-93)
Introduction
- Load  measurable responses
+ 9.36kN/m per lane

Los Pajaros Bridge
Load Testing

Los Pajaros Bridge
Simón Bolívar Ave., Quito, Ecuador
Los Pájaros Bridge
Carapungo Interchange

Project description:
3 spans @ 65m = 195m
Los Pajaros Bridge Construction38m

Project description:
Los Pajaros Bridge Construction
23.6 m
3 @ 2.8m 4 @ 2.8m
2.8m
web

Other benefits of launching:
• Safer
• Faster
• Cheaper
• Easier to inspect
Other bridge components can be
constructed at the same time
Incremental Launching Method
Los Pajaros Bridge Construction

Los Pajaros Bridge – Diagnostic Load Testing
Does this represent this?

Dump truck positions
300kN each
Computational Model
Los Pajaros Bridge – Diagnostic Load Testing

Computational Model
Los Pajaros Bridge – Diagnostic Load Testing

Field Tests
Los Pajaros Bridge – Diagnostic Load Testing
Load Case 3
Load Case 4
- Eight trucks  2400kN (60% design load)
- Seven positions (load cases)

Field Tests
Los Pajaros Bridge – Diagnostic Load Testing

Field Tests
Los Pajaros Bridge – Diagnostic Load Testing

Field Tests
Los Pajaros Bridge – Diagnostic Load Testing

Field Test vs. Computer Model Predictions
Los Pajaros Bridge – Diagnostic Load Testing
Load Case 3 Load Case 4
- Analytical predictions ~ measured responses
- Bridge behaves as designed
- Ready for opening to traffic

La Armenia
Interchange Load
Testing

La Armenia Interchange – Valle de los Chillos
La Armenia Interchange – Diagnostic Load Testing
- Five ramps  Steel tub-girder bridges

La Armenia Interchange – Valle de los Chillos
La Armenia Interchange – Diagnostic Load Testing

Diagnostic Load Testing of Ramp 15
La Armenia Interchange – Diagnostic Load Testing

Diagnostic Load Testing of Ramp 11
La Armenia Interchange – Diagnostic Load Testing

Diagnostic Load Testing of Ramp 11
La Armenia Interchange – Diagnostic Load Testing

La Armenia Interchange – Ramp 11, Load Case 7
La Armenia Interchange – Diagnostic Load Testing

Conclusions

- Diagnostic load testing: new bridges = design verification
- Deflections
- Different load cases
- Test load ~ 60% the design vehicular load
- Disagreement between field and model => further studies
- Presented cases: close correspondence
Conclusions

Questions?
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