摘要: |
In general, bridge engineers rely on theoretical analyses based on codified approaches. While these techniques provide a reliable means for assessing the safe load-carrying capacity, they are, by their very nature, sometimes conservative. By no fault of their own, codified approaches must be widely applicable and, as a result, many assumptions must be made. Another approach is to create an analytical model that represents the behavior of a specific bridgenot a code-specified, generic bridge. In early 2000, the Iowa Highway Research Board and the Iowa State University Bridge Engineering Center (BEC) embarked on a project to enhance the bridge assessment capabilities of the state. To do this, they invested in bridge load testing hardware and software. Since that time, the load testing program in the state has become quite mature. |