Static and Dynamic Testing of High-Speed Rail Bridges in Spain

Abstract

There has been a rapid development of high-speed rail in Spain. Many bridges have been constructed to carry these lines. The relevant Spanish design codes require static and dynamic testing of these structures for acceptance of the design and construction before opening for service; such testing is considered too costly in some other countries. This paper presents the concept, practice, and results of such testing for 119 precast and posttensioned concrete girder bridges. Their static and dynamic properties and responses to loads have implications for their structural safety, serviceability, and possibly durability. Inaccurate models used in design for static and dynamic parameters (such as stiffness, first natural frequency, and damping ratio) may result in incorrect responses and possibly unsafe structures; therefore, in situ testing is required. The test results of these structures also lead to an empirical relation between the first natural frequency and span length and a range of damping ratios for these types of structures, which can be useful for bridge engineers, particularly at a preliminary design stage of similar structures.