Kalix bridge project - Condition assessment of existing bridges

Background

The ‘push’ from rapid advances in computing power and technology, along with the ‘pull’ of aging infrastructure and a futuristic vision of AI automation and digital twin virtualization, has created the perfect context in which to make significant steps in finding the true capacity of bridges. Replacing aging bridges is costly and environmentally impactful. To enhance sustainability, efforts focus on prolonging bridge lifespans. Calibration and validation using field data are essential for optimal maintenance. The Kalix Bridge serves as an R&D testbed, deploying sensor technology, structural health monitoring (SHM) systems, and non-destructive testing (NDT) methods. These advancements allow accurate assessment of bridge conditions. While various evaluation methods exist, integrating multiple technologies can enhance overall bridge assessment. An extensive experimental campaign was developed to estimate material properties by means of several core extractions and a proof loading test performed with the aim of evaluating the structural response of the bridge under serviceability loading conditions.

Aim and objectives

The aim of this project is to improve the performance and life length of existing bridges.

The objective is to design a testbed at the Kalix bridge for NDT and SHM to assess monitor prestressed concrete bridges' capacity. The challenge is to determine current prestressing forces, as affected, inter alia, by corrosion, air voids, poor grouting, tendon deviations, creep or concrete shrinkage.

Results

The results from the project will help to the development of structural assessment procedures that can provide infrastructure managers with the information they need to make appropriate decisions for repairing, upgrading, or replacement. A methodology based on load testing, NDT, and SHM for assessment of the 65-year-old prestressed concrete Kalix Bridge was presented. The retrieved data were used to assess the bridge condition and develop and calibrate structural models with different levels of complexity. The work included the evaluation of material properties by diagnostics, definition of the layout and installation of the instrumentation, test execution, and data analysis.

Facts

Financer: FOI-BBT and SBUF

Timeline: Project started in 06-21 and Project ended in 10-22.

Principal Investigator: Gabriel Sas

Team members: Jaime Gonzalez-Libreros, Silvia Sarmiento, Angelica Agredo, Chao Wang, Adrian Ulfberg, Cosmin Daescu, Lennart Elfgren

Partners: TU, KTH, LTH, Chalmers, NCC, SINTEF, Trafikverket, ELOP, TIMEZYX

Dissemination

1. Agredo Chávez, A., Gonzalez-Libreros, J.H., Sas, G., Elfgren, L., Bianchi, S., Biondini, F., & Kukay, B. (2022). Available Tests to evaluate Residual Prestressing Forces in Concrete Bridges External link.. IABSE Symposium, Prague 2022: Challenges for Existing and Oncoming Structures, Prague, Czech Republic.
2. Gonzalez-Libreros J, Wang C, Agredo Chávez A, Sarmiento S, Tu Y, Daescu C, Sas G (2022). Development of a bridge load test procedure for low temperature conditions External link.. Int Conf Bridge Safety, Maintenance, Management, Life-Cycle, Resilience and Sustainability Proc IABMAS, Barcelona, Spain.
   
3. Agredo Chávez, A., Gonzalez-Libreros, J.H., Sas, G., Elfgren, L., Capacci, L., Biondini, F. (2023). Structural model updating of an existing concrete bridge based on load testing and monitoring data External link.. Life-Cycle of Structures and Infrastructure Systems / [ed] Fabio Biondini, Dan M. Frangopol, Taylor & Francis Group, 2023, Vol. 1, p. 3999-4006
   
4. Agredo Chávez, A., Ulfberg, A., Gonzalez-Libreros, J., Elfgren, L., Sas, G. (2023). Data Validation of Strain-Based Monitoring Systems in Low Temperature Conditions, Case Study: The Kalix Bridge External link.. Building for the Future: Durable, Sustainable, Resilient - Proceedings of the fib Symposium 2023 - Volume 2 / [ed] Alper Ilki; Derya Çavunt; Yavuz Selim Çavunt, Springer, 2023, Vol. 2, p. 986-995
   
5. G. Sas., L. Elfgren., C. Daescu., J. Gonzalez-Libreros., C. Wang., S. Sarmiento., A. Agredo., T. Larsson. & L. Nilsson. (2022). Testing of a prestressed concrete box girder bridge over the Kalix River. XXIV NCR Symposium 2022, Stockholm, Sweden.
   
6. Agredo Chávez A (2022). On-site measurements and structural modelling for the assessment of residual prestressing: the Kalix bridge. External link. Master's thesis report, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.