Trough Bridge Project

Background

The Iron Ore Line, Sweden's busiest railway carrying ore from Malmberget, Svappavaara, and Kiruna to Narvik and Luleå ports, faces increased demand. Plans to raise axle loads for the 450 km stretch have prompted Luleå University of Technology researchers to assess bridge durability under increase stress, considering the load history of these assets. Initiated in 2021, a comprehensive bridge condition evaluation is underway, as there are fears that some may near the end of their service life. In this project, a full-scale trough bridge, the most common type of bridge structure within the line, will be tested in the university's lab. During the tests, static and dynamic load effects will be monitored. The analysis of this date will be used to calibrate models to predict the lifespan and capacity of these bridges. This unique approach, combining practical testing with advanced modelling, seeks to ensure the railway's future readiness.

Aim & Objectives

The aim of is to increase the transport capacity of the bridges located on the Iron Ore Line.

The objectives are to measure the static and dynamic performance of the trough bridges as realistic as possible and to suggest methods to mitigate potential challenges.

Facts

Financer: Trafikverket

Timeline: Project started in 01-21 and Project ends (planned) in 12-27.

Principal Investigator: Gabriel Sas.

Team members: Silvia Sarmiento, Jaime Gonzalez-Libreros, Chao Wang, Vedad Coric, Mert Pinar

Dissemination

1. Sarmiento Nova, S.J., Gustafsson, J., Åkergren, D., Gonzalez-Libreros J.H., Sas, G., Elfgren, L., Coric, I., and Enoksson, O. (2021). Pressure Distribution Patterns Between the Ballast and the Concrete Slab in Railway Trough Bridges External link.. In: Proceedings of the 31st European Safety and Reliability Conference and (ESREL 2021) / [ed] Bruno Castanier; Marko Cepin; David Bigaud; Christophe Berenguer, Research Publishing (S) Pte Ltd., p. 1093-11002.
2. Sarmiento Nova, S.J., Gonzalez-Libreros J.H., Sas, G., Elfgren, L., Coric, I., and Enoksson, O. (2021). Metamodel-Based Reliability Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Beams Under Fatigue Loads External link.. In: Proceedings of the 1st Conference of the European Association on Quality Control of Bridges and Structures / [ed] Carlo Pellegrino, Flora Faleschini, Mariano Angelo Zanini, José C. Matos, Joan R. Casas, Alfred Strauss, Springer, Vol. 200, p. 84-92
3. Sarmiento Nova, S.J., Åkergren, D., Gustafsson, J., Gonzalez-Libreros J.H., Sas, G., Elfgren, L., Coric, I., and Enoksson, O. (2022). A Parametric Study of an old Concrete Trough Bridge using non-linear Finite Element analysis External link.. In: n: IABSE Symposium Prague 2022: Challenges for Existing and Oncoming Structures - Report, International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering, International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering, p. 1652-1659
4. Sarmiento Nova, S.J., Gonzalez-Libreros J.H., Elfgren, L., Andersson, E., Petersson, M., Sas, G. (2022). Validation of an Experimental Methodology for Measuring Concrete Fracture Energy in Existing Structures External link.. In: Building for the Future: Durable, Sustainable, Resilient - Proceedings of the Symposium 2023 - Volume 1 / [ed] Alper Ilki, Derya Çavunt, Yavuz Selim Çavunt, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, Vol. 1, p. 936-945

In Media

• https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/nu-stresstestas-malmbanans-broar-kan-spara-mycket-pengar External link.
• https://www.e-magin.se/paper/z5373m4r/paper/1#/paper/z5373m4r/48 External link.
• https://www.ltu.se/en/latest-news/news/news/2023-12-08-researchers-load-test-the-bridges-of-malmbanan External link.
• Securing the bridges of the future – a new method is being tested in Luleå (tv4.se) External link.