Full Scale Load Test of A 20m Span Precast Concrete Closed Spandrel Arch Bridge System With Corrugated Section

A new form of precast concrete closed spandrel arch bridge with corrugated section was introduced and developed in Malaysia in the year of 2008. Due to its high stiffness to self-weight ratio, this precast arch system is beneficial to the sustainable bridge construction. In order to study the actual performance of this precast arch system, a full scale load test on a 20m span arch bridge using two 88 tonnes trucks is presented in this paper. Total of five types of truck arrangement were carried out. Vertical deflection at mid span and foundation settlement were measured. It is found that the maximum vertical deflection recorded under 2 x 88 tons trucks was 3.67mm, corresponding to 1/5450 (deflection/span) ratio and there was no noticeable settlement of foundation. Analysis model load test is done using 2D analysis model PLAXIS. The results were compared to the designed analysis model with HB-45 unit loading. It is found that the internal forces of the load test are closed to the designed loading. However, the deflection in the load test analysis model is higher than actual measured deflection, probably due to the assumed value of soil modulus of elasticity and concrete modulus of elasticity. In order to approximate the deflection in the load test analysis model to the actual measured deflection, a series of sensitivity analysis on different soil young modulus and concrete young modulus were carried out.