Development of a proof loading method for railway bridges
Special transports that exceed the line capacity are planned in 2024 along the Haparanda line in Northern Sweden.
Background
This line was refurbished several years ago but has not been loaded with heavier axle loads than about 22.5 tonnes per axle. As the expected loads are higher, it is important to incrementally test its ability to accommodate heavier traffic up to 30 tonnes per axle. For this reason, Trafikverket has contacted LTU about the development of a proof loading method for railway bridges that allows to evaluate the capacity of the structures in the line. The railway line has 11 bridges in total, out of these bridges 7 have rock masonry supports which were built around 1900s and little information is available about their capacity. The experience of similar structures located on the Iron Ore line tells that they are robust and show little evidence of structural defects. However, the loads on the Iron Ore line were increased gradually over time, and the foundation ground might have different properties. Therefore, it can be assumed that with a proper proof loading and “training” the Haparanda railway line can also be prepared to greater fright loads. Four bridges are located on the railway line Boden-Morjärv up to km 0+400 in Morjärv. These four bridges are a unique opportunity for tests and method development.
Aim and objectives
The aim of this project is to develop a research program to monitor, test, evaluate and predict the capacity of the railway bridges and the abutments.
The objectives are to:
- Evaluate the capacity of the structures;
- “Train” the railway line to higher loads to accommodate greater traffic load over time;
- Prescribe actions and recommend solutions for utilizing the railway line at the required capacity.
Facts
Financer: Swedish Transport Administration/Trafikverket.
Timeline: 01-2023 to 12-2024.
Principal Investigator: Gabriel Sas.
Team members: Chao Wang, Jaime Gonzalez-Libreros, Mats Petersson, Erik Andersson.
Contact
Gabriel Sas
- Professor and Head of Subject
- 0920-493835
- gabriel.sas@ltu.se
- Gabriel Sas
Chao Wang
- Biträdande universitetslektor
- 0920-492944
- chao.wang@ltu.se
- Chao Wang
Jaime Gonzalez
- Biträdande universitetslektor
- 0920-492970
- jaime.gonzalez@ltu.se
- Jaime Gonzalez
Mats Petersson
- Forskningsingenjör
- 0920-492232
- mats.petersson@ltu.se
- Mats Petersson
Erik Andersson
- Forskningsingenjör
- 0920-493883
- erik.k.andersson@ltu.se
- Erik Andersson
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