UCD School of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
Scoil na hlnnealtóireachta Comhshaoil, Struchtúr agus Sibhialta UCD
Bridge Loading
Implications of Convoying for Bridge Loading
European freight in tonne-km is growing at an alarming rate – currently about 40% each decade – and for the moment, rail does not seem to be a viable alternative. If roads are to carry a great deal more freight without increasing congestion or using more space, it will be necessary for trucks to travel in very closely spaced convoys with each vehicle electronically linked to the next one.
This project is quantifying the effects of convoying for bridge loading and will make recommendations on how convoys can be accommodated without replacement or upgrading of the bridge stock.
Contact:eugene.obrien@ucd.ie
Stone Arch Bridges - Modelling and Assessment
This research, variously funded by the National Roads Authority ( Ireland ), the ICE Enabling Fund and the EU Marie-Cure Host Fellowship Program, included service load testing, high level load testing and three dimensional nonlinear finite element simulations of a range of stone arch bridges spanning 5.0m to 32m. Traditional assessment techniques were demonstrated to be excessively conservative in certain circumstances and novel assessment procedures for the determination of both longitudinal and transverse bridge strengths were developed, and justified on the basis of bridge test results.
Fig1. Greenfields Bridge, Co. Cork, Ireland - high level load testing.
Clients: National Roads Authority ( Ireland ), ICE Enabling Fund, EU Marie-Curie Host Fellowship Program
Collaborator: Pennsylvania State University
Contact: paul.fanning@ucd.ie
Pedestrian Loading
Current design codes offer no guidance for lateral load effects as a result of pedestrians on a footbridge nor do they make allowance for the interaction between a footbridge and a traversing pedestrian. Novel vertical and lateral interactive load models, for a single traversing pedestrian, have been developed. Currently these are being extended for multiple pedestrians.
Contact: paul.fanning@ucd.ie
