Field load testing and structural evaluation of steel truss footbridge

Abstract

The paper presents the main results obtained during a field load testing conducted on a recently built steel footbridge spanning the new 6 lanes of Western bypass highway in City Vilnius. The footbridge is a single span 48,8 m long and 4,0 m width structure composed of two identical steel trusses. The footbridge was subject to static and dynamic tests as well as theoretical calculations in order to perform an evaluation of the static behaviour of the new footbridge and to identify its dynamic characteristics. The results of the tests were used to validate the FE modelling. A comparison of the measured and analytical results for both static and dynamic tests is presented. Results of investigation are also compared to the provisions of LST EN standards.