Analysis of a Damaged Bridge Object as a Result of Vehicle Impact

The article presents a case of damage to an object caused by an impact of vehicle or load. The bridge over the expressway has a typical structure used in Poland in the 70’s and 80’s of the last century. Spans were made of Płońsk beams (T beams) joined only by locks at the junction of the upper beams’ flanges. As a result of impact with the vehicle / load, there was a horizontal crack at the contact of the web with the top flange almost along the entire length of the beam. Visible stirrup deformation indicates complete loss of cooperation between beam elements at the point of impact. The part of strands were also broken. The method of estimating the load capacity of a damaged beam is discussed and the temporary protection of a damaged beam and recommendations for further handling of the bridge are presented.