Bridge test

Area	construction
title	Engineering structures in the course of roads and paths - monitoring and testing
Brief description:	Bridge test
Latest edition	11.1999
ISO

A bridge inspection in accordance with German standard DIN 1076 should by checking the actual condition of the bridge structure , the stability to make sure the traffic and safe use.

Bridge test according to DIN 1076

The process and organization of a bridge test is regulated in DIN 1076 , with the aim of recognizing the current state and recording damage at an early stage. As a rule, visual inspections are sufficient to provide an experienced bridge inspector with sufficient information. These constant inspections are intended to ensure that the structures remain safe, and there is also a collection of data on the condition of the bridge.

DIN regulates the use of bridge inspectors: “Careful monitoring and testing of the structures by competent persons is essential. A competent engineer must be commissioned to carry out the tests, who can also assess the static and structural conditions of the structures. ”These and other special requirements, as well as many years of experience in main tests, are criteria for an auditor.

Structural inspections can take place in places that are very difficult to access:

busy roads;
over railway systems;
in the box girder.

For traffic reasons, they can also take place at night or on the weekend. In addition, auxiliary devices can and must be used. The constantly changing conditions of the structures (type, system, age, building material) require the test engineer to be adaptable.

The building inspection is associated with considerable preparation, organization and improvisation effort.

The DIN 1076 standard regulates the testing and monitoring of engineering structures in the course of roads and paths with regard to their stability, traffic safety and durability [from DIN 1076].

DIN 1076 is based on the guideline from August 1930: Guideline for the monitoring and testing of iron road bridges.

The current edition is from November 1999. This standard is divided into:

annual visual inspection
Main exam, every 6 years
Simple examination, always 3 years after a main examination
Tests for special occasions (special test), these must be carried out after adverse events, such as flooding, hurricane, impact of a truck (e.g. accident on the Wiehl valley bridge )
Testing according to special regulations, especially of mechanical and electrical systems

Monitoring is mandatory to ensure road safety . These inspections should be inspections of the accessible areas without aids. All damage is documented during an inspection. It is used to assess the proper load-bearing capacity and durability. During the main tests, all parts of the structure, including those that are difficult to access, must be checked manually, if necessary with the aid of inspection facilities, armaments and the like. Covers of parts of the building (e.g. protective hoods for ropes , bearing sleeves , protective sleeves, manhole covers and the like) must be opened [extract from DIN 1076].

During renovation work, an inspection should also be carried out on otherwise inaccessible or difficult to see parts of the building. The bridge test is of great importance in legal and technical terms for the preservation of the existing structure.

The carrier of the road construction load is responsible for ensuring that all bridges meet the requirements of safety and order. The federal, state or local authorities can bear the road construction load. The road construction burden includes all matters related to the construction and maintenance of the roads. Of course, the recognized rules of technology ( state of the art ) must be observed and applied.

grades

There are six grade levels for the bridge exam, similar to school grades:

1.0 - 1.4 (very good condition)
1.5 - 1.9 (good condition)
2.0 - 2.4 (satisfactory condition)
2.5 - 2.9 (sufficient condition)
3.0 - 3.4 (insufficient condition)
3.5 - 4.0 (insufficient condition)