Bridge load testing for assessment: recent advances in application, collaboration, codes, and research

As the bridge stock in many countries is ageing, the topic of bridge assessment is gaining more importance. Bridge load testing is one of the tools that can be used to assess existing bridges. Over the past decade, assessment, and by extent, bridge load testing, have been applied, studied, and improved in various countries. This paper provides an international overview of bridge assessment practices, load testing practices, and recent research insights. Moreover, synergies in the research activities, collaboration efforts via technical committees, and recently published codes and guidelines are highlighted. The major topics of importance identified are linking load testing to global and element structural behaviour, improved on-site sensing techniques, incorporating load testing with structural monitoring, non-destructive evaluation, numerical modelling, probabilistic analysis, and leveraging the use of digital tools for embedding detailed load testing insights into modern bridge management systems. It can be concluded that bridge load testing is a dynamic field of application and research, for which international collaboration and comparing best practices is essential.

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Publication Details

Journal
Structure and Infrastructure Engineering
Published
2025-12-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2025.2594077
Primary Topic
Structural Health Monitoring Techniques
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Bridge load testing for assessment: recent advances in application, collaboration, codes, and research

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Structure and Infrastructure Engineering
Structural Health Monitoring Techniques
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Bridge load testing for assessment: recent advances in application, collaboration, codes, and research

Daniele Losanno, Gabriel Sas, Jesse Grimson, Alok Bhowmick, Eva O. L. Lantsoght, Numa Bertola, Jacob Wittrup Schmidt, Rolando Chacón, Aleš Žnidarič, Piotr Olaszek, Joan R. Casas, Matías A. Valenzuela, Dave Cousins
article en

Abstract

As the bridge stock in many countries is ageing, the topic of bridge assessment is gaining more importance. Bridge load testing is one of the tools that can be used to assess existing bridges. Over the past decade, assessment, and by extent, bridge load testing, have been applied, studied, and improved in various countries. This paper provides an international overview of bridge assessment practices, load testing practices, and recent research insights. Moreover, synergies in the research activities, collaboration efforts via technical committees, and recently published codes and guidelines are highlighted. The major topics of importance identified are linking load testing to global and element structural behaviour, improved on-site sensing techniques, incorporating load testing with structural monitoring, non-destructive evaluation, numerical modelling, probabilistic analysis, and leveraging the use of digital tools for embedding detailed load testing insights into modern bridge management systems. It can be concluded that bridge load testing is a dynamic field of application and research, for which international collaboration and comparing best practices is essential.

Structure and Infrastructure Engineering
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (CL), Stimson Center (US), University of Luxembourg (LU), Luleå University of Technology (SE), Road and Bridge Research Institute (PL), D&S Consultants (United States) (US), Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (SI), Industrial Measurement Systems (United States) (US), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (EC), University of Naples Federico II (IT), Aalborg University (DK), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (ES), Delft University of Technology (NL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 61%
Structural Health Monitoring Techniques
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