EXPERIMENTAL IN-SITU TESTING OF AN EXISTING BRIDGE

The assessment of the condition of existing bridges is of great importance, particularly for bridge structures that have been in operation for a long time and for which no adequate technical documentation exists. The behavior and condition of these bridges change over time, making it necessary to perform specific experimental tests and additional analyses to determine their actual load-bearing capacity and usability. This paper presents the results of experimental in-situ tests conducted on a steel bridge. The experimental activities were divided into two phases. The first phase involved determining the dynamic characteristics of the bridge using the ambient vibration method, while the second phase focused on evaluating the bridge's behavior under static and dynamic loading. The equipment used for determining the dynamic characteristics included accelerometers, a data acquisition system, and a computer. For the static and dynamic loading tests, strain gauges, accelerometers, and linear potentiometers were used. The results of these tests form the basis for further numerical analyses of the bridge's load-bearing capacity and stability. In conclusion, following detailed analyses and investigations, conclusions regarding the condition of the bridge structure were drawn.