Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Transducer for Measuring Tensile Strains in Concrete Bridge Girders

  • Published:
Experimental Mechanics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Load testing highway bridges is becoming an increasingly common procedure for determining bridge load capacity. Bridge testers frequently measure the strains in critical bridge components due to known loads. Measuring the strains in reinforced concrete bridges can be difficult due to the non-uniform distribution of strain in the tension (cracked) zone. This paper describes the design and testing of a simple yet accurate transducer for measuring flexural tensile strains in reinforced concrete bridges.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Casadei P, Parretti R, Nanni A, Heinze T (2005) “In situ load testing of parking garage reinforced concrete slabs: comparison between 24 h and cyclic load testing. Prac Period Struct Des Constr, ASCE pp 40–48, (February).

  2. Schiebel S, Parreti R, Nanni A, Huck M (2002) Strengthening and load testing of three bridges in Boone County, Missouri. Prac Period Struct Des Constr, ASCE pp 156–163, (November).

  3. Fuchs P, Washer G, Chase S, Moore M (2004) Laser-based instrumentation for bridge load testing. J Perform Constr Facil, ASCE pp 213–219, (November).

  4. Jauregui D, White K, Woodward C, Leitch K (2003) “Non contact photogrammetric measurement of vertical bridge deflection. J Bridge Eng, ASCE pp 212–222, (July/August).

  5. Zhao J, DeWolf J (2002) Dynamic monitoring of steel girder highway bridge. J Bridge Eng, ASCE pp 350–356, (November/December).

  6. Li Z, Swanson J, Helmicki A, Hunt V (2005) Modal contribution coefficients in bridge condition evaluation. JBridge Eng, ASCE pp 169–178, (March/April).

  7. Stallings J, Yoo C (1993) Tests and ratings of short-span steel bridges. J Struct Eng, ASCE 119(7):2150–2168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Chajes M, Mertz D, Commander B (1997) Experimental load rating of a posted bridge. J Bridge Eng, ASCE pp 1–10, (February).

  9. Cai C, Shawawy M (2004) Predicted and measured performance of prestressed concrete bridges. J Bridge Eng, ASCE pp 4–13, (January/February).

  10. Phares B, Wipf T, Klaiber F, Abu-Hawash A (2003) Bridge load rating using physical testing. Proceedings of the 2003 Mid-Continent Transportation Research Symposium, Iowa State University, p 9, (August).

  11. Bridge Diagnostics, Inc. (2005) Strain transducer for structural testing. http://www.bridgetest.com/strain_transducers.htm (accessed May 15, 2005).

  12. Schulz J (1993) In search of better load ratings. Civil Engineering, ASCE pp 62–65, (Sept).

  13. Jauregui D, Barr P (2004) Nondestructive evaluation of the i-40 bridge over the Rio Grande River. J Perform Constr Facil, pp ASCE 195–204, (November).

  14. Cook CF (1980) An electrical demountable strain transducer. Strain 16(6):113–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Kim N, Cho N (2004) Estimating deflection of a simple beam model using fiber optic bragg-grating sensors. Exp Mech, Society for Experimental Mechanics 4(4):433–439.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  16. Gambrell S, Richardson J, Triche M (1996) Development of a strain transducer for bridge testing. The University of Alabama College of Engineering, Bureau of Engineering Research., BER pp 630–639.

  17. MacGregor J, Wight J (2005) Reinforced concrete, mechanics and design, 4th edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., pp 393–396.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Frosh R (1999) Another look at cracking and crack control in reinforced concrete, ACI Struct J 96(3):437–442, (May–June).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Structural Design Group, 700 Century Park S., Birmingham, AL, 35226, USA

    S. B. Skelton

  2. Civil Engineering Department, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487-0205, USA

    J. A. Richardson

Authors
  1. S. B. Skelton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. A. Richardson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. A. Richardson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Skelton, S.B., Richardson, J.A. A Transducer for Measuring Tensile Strains in Concrete Bridge Girders. Exp Mech 46, 325–332 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-006-7106-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-006-7106-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation