Instrumented monitoring and diagnostic load testing of steel stringer bridges

This paper presents the instrumented monitoring and diagnostic load testing efforts on a typical steel-stringer bridge located in Cincinnati (HAM-561-0683). The bridge is subjected to a series of deliberately induced damage, simulating typical deterioration and damage scenarios which may affect steel-stringer bridges. A recommended methodology is under investigation for the condition assessment, structural evaluation and damage detection of the bridge through load testing. A complete set of strain, tilt, displacement and temperature response data is collected and analyzed before and after each damage utilizing static load testing. This information is shown to both corroborate and augment the results of modal testing.