| 1. |
- Agredo Chavez, Angelica Maria, et al.
(författare)
-
Structural model updating of an existing concrete bridge based on load testing and monitoring data
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Life-Cycle of Structures and Infrastructure Systems. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 9781003323020 ; , s. 3999-4006
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The backbone of European infrastructure was built after the end of the second World War and has reached, or is near to, the end of its nominal design life. This issue urges the development of structural assessment procedures that can provide infrastructure managers the information to make decisions for repairing, upgrading, or replacement. In this paper, a methodology based on load testing and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) for the assessment of a 65- year-old prestressed concrete bridge located in Northern Sweden is presented. The retrieved data is used to develop and calibrate structural models with different levels of data completeness. The SHM procedure includes the evaluation of material properties by diagnostics, definition of the layout and installation of the instrumentation, test execution, and data analysis. A preliminary structural model is developed based only on the original design parameters, and it is sequentially updated with monitoring data retrieved during a performed proof loading test of the bridge.
|
|
| 2. |
- Ahmed, Lamis
(författare)
-
Models for analysis of young cast and sprayed concrete subjected to impact-type loads
- 2015
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The strive for a time-efficient construction process naturally put focus on the possibility of reducing the time of waiting between stages of construction, thereby minimizing the construction cost. If recently placed concrete, cast or sprayed, is exposed to impact vibrations at an early age while still in the process of hardening, damage that threatens the function of the hard concrete may occur. A waiting time when the concrete remains undisturbed, or a safe distance to the vibration source, is therefore needed. However, there is little, or no, fully proven knowledge of the length of this distance or time and there are no established guidelines for practical use. Therefore, conservative vibration limits are used for young and hardening concrete exposed to vibrations from e.g. blasting.As a first step in the dynamic analysis of a structure, the dynamic loads should always be identified and characterized. Here it is concluded that impact-type loads are the most dangerous of possible dynamic loads on young and hardening concrete. Shotcrete (sprayed concrete) on hard rock exposed to blasting and cast laboratory specimens subjected to direct mechanical impact loads have been investigated using finite element models based on the same analysis principles. Stress wave propagation is described in the same way whether it is through hard rock towards a shotcrete lining or through an element of young concrete. However, the failure modes differ for the two cases where shotcrete usually is damaged through loss of bond, partly or over larger sections that may result in shotcrete downfall. Cracking in shotcrete due to vibrations only is unusual and has not been observed during previous in situ tests. The study of shotcrete is included to demonstrate the need of specialized guidelines for cases other than for mass concrete, i.e. structural elements or concrete volumes with large dimensions in all directions.Within this project, work on evaluating and proposing analytical models are made in several steps, first with a focus on describing the behaviour of shotcrete on hard rock. It is demonstrated that wave propagation through rock towards shotcrete can be described using two-dimensional elastic finite element models in a dynamic analysis. The models must include the material properties of the rock and the accuracy of these parameters will greatly affect the results. It is possible to follow the propagation of stress waves through the rock mass, from the centre of blasting to the reflection at the shotcrete-rock interface. It is acceptable to use elastic material formulations until the strains are outside the elastic range, which thus indicates imminent material failure. The higher complexity of this type of model, compared with mechanical models using mass and spring elements, makes it possible to analyse more sophisticated geometries. Comparisons are made between numerical results and measurements from experiments in mining tunnels with ejected rock mass and shotcrete bond failure, and with measurements made during blasting for tunnel construction where rock and shotcrete remained intact. The calculated results are in good correspondence with the in situ observations and measurements, and with previous numerical modelling results. Examples of preliminary recommendations for practical use are given and it is demonstrated how the developed models and suggested analytical technique can be used for further detailed investigations.The modelling concept has also been used for analysis of impact loaded beams and concrete prisms modelled with 3D solid elements. As a first analysis step, an elastic material model was used to validate laboratory experiments with hammer-loaded concrete beams. The laboratory beam remained un-cracked during the experiments, and thus it was possible to achieve a good agreement using a linear elastic material model for fully hardened concrete. The model was further developed to enable modelling of cracked specimens. For verification of the numerical results, earlier laboratory experiments with hammer impacted smaller prisms of young concrete were chosen. A comparison between results showed that the laboratory tests can be reproduced numerically and those free vibration modes and natural frequencies of the test prisms contributed to the strain concentrations that gave cracking at high loads. Furthermore, it was investigated how a test prism modified with notches at the middle section would behave during laboratory testing. Calculated results showed that all cracking would be concentrated to one crack with a width equal to the sum of the multiple cracks that develop in un-notched prisms. In laboratory testing, the modified prism will provide a more reliable indication of when the critical load level is reached.This project has been interdisciplinary, combining structural dynamics, finite element modelling, concrete material technology, construction technology and rock support technology. It is a continuation from previous investigations of the effect on young shotcrete from blasting vibrations but this perspective has been widened to also include young, cast concrete. The outcome is a recommendation for how dynamic analysis of young concrete, cast and sprayed, can be carried out with an accurate description of the effect from impact-type loads. The type of numerical models presented and evaluated will provide an important tool for the work towards guidelines for practical use in civil engineering and concrete construction work. Some recommendations on safe distances and concrete ages are given, for newly cast concrete elements or mass concrete and for newly sprayed shotcrete on hard rock.
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Bagge, Niklas, et al.
(författare)
-
Protecting a five span prestressed bridge against ground deformations
- 2015
-
Ingår i: IABSE Conference Geneva 2015. - Geneva : International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering. - 9783857481406 ; , s. 255-262
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- A 55 year-old, 121.5 m long, five span prestressed bridge was situated in the deformation zone close to a mine in Kiruna in northern Sweden. There was a risk for uneven ground deformations so the bridge was analyzed and monitored. Results and measures taken to ascertain the robustness of the bridge are presented.The analysis resulted in an estimate that the bridge could sustain 24 mm in uneven horizontal and 83 mm in uneven vertical displacement of the two supports of a span. To be able to sustain larger deformations, the columns of the bridge were provided with joints, where shims could be inserted to counteract the settlements. To accomplish this, each one of the 18 columns of the bridge was unloaded by help of provisional steel supports. The column was then cut and a new foot was mounted to it. This made it possible to lift each individual column with two jacks, when needed, and to adjust its height by inserting or taking away shim plates.The deformations of the bridge and the surrounding ground were monitored. The eigenmodes of the bridge were studied with accelerometers and by analysis with finite elements (FE) models. Comparison indicated good agreement between the model and the actual bridge, with calculated eigenfrequencies of 2.17, 4.15 and 4.67 Hz, for the first transversal, vertical and torsional modes, respectively. Measurements during winter resulted in higher values due to increased stiffness caused by frozen materials.
|
|
| 6. |
- Bagge, Niklas, et al.
(författare)
-
Punching Capacity of a Reinforced Concrete Bridge Deck Slab Loaded to Failure
- 2015
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Full-scale failure tests of a 55 year old prestressed concrete girder bridge have been carried out to calibrate models for assessment of existing bridges. This paper summarises the outcome from the punching test and analytical analysis according to the model stated in the Eurocode. The experimental load was approximately 2.4 times the code value using measured material properties.
|
|
| 7. |
- Bernander, Stig, et al.
(författare)
-
Dam Bank Stability in loosely layered silty sands and lean silty sandy clays : Comments on the risk of failure in the North Spur at Muskrat Falls in the Churchill River Valley, Labrador, Newfoundland
- 2018
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The differences in landslide analysis between the classic limit equilibrium method (LEM) and a progressive failure procedure is outlined. In LEM the soils are presumed to be fully plastic, whereas in the progressive failure approach the joint effect of strain-softening material properties and deformations in the soil mass are considered.The risk of failure in the North Spur ridge due to the dam impoundment at Muskrat Falls in the Churchill River Valley (Labrador/Newfoundland) is investigated. An important issue in this context is e.g. that sloping failure surfaces near the cut-off wall (COW) are bound to be much more critical than the horizontal failure planes, which have hitherto been considered according to Nalcor/SNC-Lavalin Engineering Reports.Results from progressive failure analyses have now been obtained, applying plausible deformation-softening material properties to the soils in the ridge. These results, which are presented at the end of this report, render unsatisfactory safety factors – i.e. lower than 0.5, thus indicating potential risks of failure when the water surface is raised to the proposed levels.Three reports and a summing up are appended, where Dr Bernander strongly emphasizes the need of stability evaluations based on proper progressive failure analysis – i.e. using soil properties based on tests that are not carried out under fully drained conditions.Measures to reducing the detrimental effects of high in-situ porosity are also proposed.
|
|
| 8. |
- Bernander, Stig, et al.
(författare)
-
Progressive Landslide Analysis in Canadian Glacial Silty Clay in Churchill River
- 2017
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The poster presents the risks for a progressive landslide in a natural dam. The stability will be critical when the water level is raised after the building of a hydro power plant, Bernander (2016), Dury (2017). The analysis is based on a finite difference method developed by Stig Bernander (2011), Bernander et al.(2016) The following issues will be discussed: - Material properties- Risk for liquefaction- Three possible failure surfaces: one horizontal, one inclined and one curved- Failure riska for different material propeties- The need to check the real properties of the soil
|
|
| 9. |
- Bernander, Stig, et al.
(författare)
-
Stability of the North Spur at Muskrat Falls : Comments and Discussion of a Paper by Stig Bernander and Lennart Elfgren
- 2021
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In Part A, the geotechnical background is presented to a stability problem regarding the North Spur dam wall at Muskrat Falls in Churchill River in Newfoundland, Canada. This land was formed in the regression of the sea during and after the last ice age with deposits of multiple layers of silty sands and silty sandy clays that formed the valleys and plains that are now above sea level. Some of these layers, deposited thousands of years ago in post-glacial times, are vulnerable to liquefaction when they are disturbed. These conditions have in the past repeatedly caused slides along the banks of the Churchill river. In the report, a specific type of possible progressive failure –the most dangerous one in respect of the safety of the North Spur – is discussed. This type of landslide development may be caused by the rising water pressure, when - or after - the dam is impounded. As will be explained, such a slide could force part of the North Spur ridge to slide along a failure surface sloping East-wards into the deep river whirlpool downstream of Muskrat Falls. In the following, a brief overview is provided of the geotechnical background behind our concerns, also discussing methods of mitigating the risk of the kind of slopefailure in question. Hence, we propose measures such as compacting the soil by piling or by methods of grouting and drainage. We also suggest the need for an expert Advisory Panel to look further into the long-term safety of the North Spur.In Part B, the paper in Part A is discussed and the risk for a failure is denied.In Part C, finally, the authors of Part A, give their answer to the criticism and uphold their view: There may be a serieois risk for a dam breach caused by weak soil layers in the dam. This risk should be properly investigated and mitigated.
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
