Experimental testing, computational analysis and analytical formulation for the remaining capacity assessment of bridge plate girders with naturally corroded ends

Aging bridges are prone to malfunctioning expansion joints, allowing water and deicing mixtures to seep trough deteriorate the superstructure components. This paper evaluates experimentally, computationally and numerically the residual load carrying capacity of plate girders containing corrosion-deteriorated ends. A full-scale laboratory test was conducted on a decommissioned bridge beam, and experimental data is used to validate a composite girder-level finite element model able to capture deteriorated beam strength. An extensive computational sensitivity analysis is performed to study the corrosion related parameters which significantly affect the residual capacity of plate girders. Moreover, analytical tools for residual strength evaluation are developed based on more than 1.000 scenarios of unique beam geometries and corrosion topologies. The efficiency of the developed closed form equations is numerically validated providing overall improved estimations compared to the current provisions in bridge design manual.

Automated summary

This paper evaluates the residual load carrying capacity of aging bridges with corrosion-deteriorated ends using experimental, computational and numerical methods. It also develops analytical tools and equations for evaluating the residual strength of plate girders.