Methodology

A. INTRODUCTION:
This note pertains to load testing of Major Bridge at Jetpur - Somnath JSPCL Tollway LTD 123.35
km in Jetpur-Somnath section on NH 8D. As this is a new Major Bridge, it is customary to evaluate
the performance of this Bridge prior to opening the traffic onto the bridge.
This Major Bridge cum Fly over is having Total 6 spans in each carriageway. The load test is
proposed to be conducted as per Clause 4.1 of IRC: SP 51 – 1999. Overall length of this span is
26.600 m and length between c/c of bearings is 6.650 m.
In view of this, a reference was made to us to evaluate the performance of the PSC-Box Girder. The
details of the project and structure are as mentioned below:

1. Contractor: M/s Backbone Enterprise Ltd.

2. Clients: National Highways Authority of India
3. Consultants: M/s Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats Pvt.Ltd
@ 123.35 Km in Jetpur – Somnath section between station
4. Bridge Name:
JSPCL Tollway LTD, on NH 8D under construction by NHAI.
In JSPCL Tollway LTD is 123.35 Km from Jetpur To Somnath
5. Location:
at National Highway No. 8D

B. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA (IRC – SP 37: Clause No. 6.6.2)

The load for rating should be taken as the least of: -
(i) The loading causing deflection of 1 / 1500 of the span in any of the main girders for simply
supported spans.
(ii) The load causing tension cracks of width more than 0.3mm in any of the girders for normal
cases and 0.2mm for structures exposed to very severe and adverse conditions.
(iii) The load causing appearance of visible new diagonal cracks of width more than 0.3mm for
normal cases and 0.2mm for structures exposed to very severe and adverse conditions or
opening/widening of existing cracks close to the supports in concrete girders.
C. Minimum Percentage of Recovery (IRC – SP 51: Clause No. 5.0)
For bridges designed for IRC Standard loadings, criteria for load testing of steel, PSC and RCC
superstructures are given in Table below:
Duration of Minimum percentage recovery
Sr. No. Types of Bridges Retention of Test, of Deflection at 24hrs. after
Load (Hrs.) removal of Test Load
1. Reinforced Concrete 24 75
2. Prestressed Concrete 24 85
3. Steel 24 85
4. Composite 24 75

D. METHODOLOGY OF LOAD TEST: -

i. Loading: - The critical loading for load test corresponding to loading is taken from the
Superstructure Drawing No. JSTPL/STR/MJB/KM.0-127/1202A, Rev R0..
ii. Procedure: - Before the loading arrangement, deflectometers shall be fixed at mid span and
two quarter spans below the box girder below the loading region. The initial readings shall be
noted and the loading is positioned. The deflectometers readings are noted and the load is
applied in increments of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of test load. The corresponding
deflectometers readings are noted. The deck is checked for the appearance and widening
flexural cracks, if any, at every stage of loading. The load is maintained for 24 hours on the
deck. After 24 hours, the final readings are to be noted and deck checked for cracks, if any.
Then the loading is removed. Unloading should also be done in same percentage as that of
loading. On removal of each load decrement, the deflectometers readings are to be noted. The
percentage recovery of deflection is calculated at 24 hours after removal of load.
iii. Acceptance criteria: - The criterion of acceptance is based on limiting deflection and
recovery of deflection. In this case the maximum permissible deflection is L/1500 of effective
span and recovery of deflection should be more than 85%, in 24 hours after the removal of
load. A general acceptance criterion for the behavior of structure under test load is that is shall
show “Visible evidence of failure”, which include appearance of cracks of width more than
0.3 mm, spalling or deflections which are excessive and incompatible with safety
requirements.
iv. The calculation of percentage recovery is done as follows after applying temperature and / or
rotation correction to deflection date
Initial Dial Gauge Reading ----R1
Final value after placement of test load
(Thereafter, measurements are to be taken at regular intervals of
one hour) ----R2
Value at 24 hours after placement of 100 % test load ----R3
Value immediately after removal of test load
(Thereafter, measurements are to be taken at regular intervals of
one hour) ----R4
Value at 24 hours after removal of all Applied test load ----R5
Total deflection ----R3-R1
Total Recovery 24 hours after removal of test load ----R3-R5
% of recovery of deflection 24 hrs after removal of test load ---- (R3-R5) x 100
(R3-R1)

v. Preparatory work:

All visual defects shall be measured, mapped and plotted before testing.

It should be ensured that bearings are functional.

Expansion gaps, joints should be cleared of all debris.

The surface of the girders of the span to be tested shall be provided with a coat of white
wash, so that appearance of cracks becomes immediately perceptible.

vi. Precautions:

Staging should be stable and safe.

Staging for instruments and that for observers should be quite independent.

Staging for instruments should be rigid.

Due to temperature change the superstructure may tend to hog or sag; therefore it
should be ensured that when this occurs, contact with spindle of the dial gauge is not
lost. Spindle extension should be fixed to take care of this.

Necessary watch and ward shall be arranged so that deflectometers are not tampered
during the test.

During the 24 hours retention period of built up load, care shall be taken to cover the
pre-weighted units with tarpaulin, so that rain or strong winds do not affect the stacking
on the platforms.

vii. Procedure for Temperature Correction: - A digital calibrated thermometer is placed for
monitoring temperature of the bridge deck. The probe could be inserted in a perforated hole
in the concrete surface, for recording temperature.

Reference:
IRC.6 - 2000
IRC SP-51: Guidelines for load testing of Bridges, 1999
IS 456 – 2000
For GEO ENGINEERING SERVICES

Authorized Signatory