InTrans / Aug 14, 2018
Load Testing and Analysis of Wood Bridges Rehabilitated by Transverse Post-Tensioning
This report describes the load testing and evaluation of two MTC bridges which were rehabilitated by transverse post-tensioning. These bridges had not undergone the required re-post-tensioning subsequent to rehabilitation and so exhibited high post-tensioning losses. The objective of the tests was to evaluate the effects of the very low post-tensioning levels on the structural performance of the bridges.
Both bridges were load tested before and after re-post-tensioning. Even under low levels of post-tensioning, the laminated decks did not display any signs of distress under the fully loaded MTC test vehicles (2 1/2 times the legal load). In addition, the structural response of these decks was found to be representative of an orthotropic plate.