Analysis of the technical condition of a railway bridge at risk of failure

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Military University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland

^* Corresponding author: mieczyslaw.piechota@wat.edu.pl

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of the technical condition of a railway bridge structure with a span structure in the form of welded girders. Static diagram of the structure consists of two simply supported beams. The theoretical span of the spans is 2 x 14.50 m, their overall length is 14.90 m, and the total length of the crossing is 30.6 m. The reasons for the formation and development of bridge degradation were analysed. In addition, the actual load capacity of the structure was determined and the possibility of its further operation was evaluated. Particular attention was given to the quality of workmanship and the degradation progress of welded joints, which led to the exclusion of the object from use. The main purpose of the presented analyses is to formulate general recommendations, whose implementation in a direct or indirect form may contribute to reducing the degradation process of railway steel bridge structures. When inspecting welded railway bridges, particular attention should be paid to the condition of welds and to control and prevent the structure from cracking.