Field Measurements on Skewed Semi-integral Bridge with Elastic Inclusion: Instrumentation Report

About the report:

This project was designed to enhance the Virginia Department of Transportation's expertise in the design of integral bridges, particularly as it applies to highly skewed structures. Specifically, the project involves extensive monitoring of a semi-integral (integral backwall) bridge with a 45-degree skew. Long-term, continuous monitoring of strains developed in foundation piles, earth pressures exerted on the backwall by the adjacent approach embankment, and concrete buttress reactions preventing the superstructure from rotating in the horizontal plane will be performed. Overall, 120 strain gages, 16 earth pressure cells, and 2 high-capacity load cells, interfaced with electronic dataloggers, will be used in the study. This report provides a record of work carried out from the start of construction in January 2006 to the beginning of May 2006. It specifically describes the instrumentation of the bridge. Future reports will provide an analysis of the results of the field monitoring program. The study is expected to continue for the next 2 years in order to capture the bridge's response over a wide range of climatic conditions.

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