Application of Results of Tests in Developing a Two-Dimensional Model for Soil–Steel Railway Bridges

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the possibilities for the application of a two-dimensional model based on a circumferential strip of soil–steel structures that used results of measurements on railway soil–steel bridges. The distribution of a live load in the model was based on the so-called collocation point method. The method assumed conformity of results coming from a real test and those obtained in the two-dimensional model at a certain point of a structure. As a conformity criterion, deformation or internal forces (e.g., bending moment, thrust force, and stress) was assumed. Two locomotives moving above the structures were used to obtain influence lines of the collocation point. Examples of influence lines are presented; these also could be used for determination of stiffness of soil–steel bridges. The main advantage of this approach is the ability to evaluate the effects of any moving loads applied on existing bridges according to findings of measurements of deflections and development of deflection influence lines.