Performance Evaluation of Prestress Bridge Using Field Monitoring and CSI Bridge Modelling

Bridges are important to any transport system network connecting roads and villages with cities. Many Iraqi bridges remain in poor condition even after inspection and confirmation that they are of acceptable standards due to the role played by various risk factors, including traffic volume and insufficient capacity. Effects of changed patterns of operational loads, slack, deterioration, and other man-made effects on bridge construction cause its degeneration. The primary purpose of this research was to determine the structural condition of the superstructure of the Barboty bridge and any associated damage, if any, utilizing strain, displacement sensors, and CSI Bridge software which is employed to generate the finite element model of the bridge superstructure. The difference between the experimental and analysis results was about 10.60 %, representing good agreement. Maximum deflections in both static and dynamic conditions were found to be within the allowable limit (L/800) as stated in the AASHTO code. Deflections, distribution factors, modal curvature, and rating factor classification were extracted. The distribution factor ratio provided a conservative outcome that was approximately 80% below the AASHTO requirements. All other parameters were found under AASHTO specifications, and no abnormal condition was observed.