METHOD STATEMENT FOR BRIDGE LOAD TEST

1. Purpose:-

Purpose of This Test is too serve the behavior of the bridge by the application of design

live load or load slightly exceeding design live load over a long period of 24 hrs and elastic

performance of bridge deck on removal of test load.

2. Relevant Code:-

Bridge Load Test shall be conducted as per guideline provided in IRC SP-51:2015

Guidelines for Load Testing of Bridges.

3. Scope:-

Scope of work includes conducting the Span Load Test.

a. Span Length - Given in drawing

b. Test Span - (As decided by Engineer-in-Charge)

c. Width of Carriage way-Given in drawing

d. Test Load - Given in Drawing

e. Area to be loaded with Test Load -Given in Drawing

f. Method of Loading - By Pulling Sand Bags in Bogie.

g. Dial Gauges Least Count- 0.01mm

h. Location of Dial Gauges - At L/4 , L/2and 3L/4 of the soffit of each girder (where L is

the c/c distance between the bearings)as indicated in Figures 2 or as specified in

drawing.

Note:-Designer to specify the permissible deflections at the point of observations.

i. Nos. of Dial Gauges to be installed for Test Span– 3 nos. in each girder x nos. of

Girders in one span

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 j. Nos. of Dial Gauges to be installed for Temperature Correction– 3nos. in each

girder x nos. of Girders in one span

k. Nos. of Dial Gauges to be installed for Bearings settlement Correction– 2 nos. in

each girder x nos. of Girders in one span

4. Test Set-up for Span Load Test:-

a. Deck shall be cleaned properly; white wash shall be applied at the critical sections on
girders. Deck shall be marked for the loading area as per drawing.
b. Cement bags filled with the Soil (each weighing approximately 30 Kg, Nos. of bags
shall be calculated based on Total Test Load intensity) or concrete cube or loaded truck
(as indicated in Figure 2 or specified in load test scheme/drawing)shall be made ready
and stacked beyond the expansion joint (not on the Test Slab).
c. Deflection of girder shall be measured by dial gauges of 0.01 mm least count suspended
by suspensions wire from the girder location and fixed at top of tripod stands rest on the
road/bed level (as indicated in figure 1 and 3).
d. Each dial gauge shall be fixed on the tripod stands rest on the road/bed levelwhich is
well compacted and non yielding bed (as indicated in figure 1 and 3).
5. LOADING AND UNLOADING SEQUENCES:-
Test Load shall be applied in the stages. The loads are applied in stages so that timely
Action can be taken to avoid any unforeseen incidents and to prevent any mish
Happening.
The action may be like change in manner of loading or even stopping of test. This is
Done if any untoward distress is observed at any stage .
Stages of test load placement will be as Per Site Plan.

Or as specified by the designer.

Each Loading in crement shall be maintained for minimum60 minutes (cooling time)or
till the rate of settlement/deflection stabilized under the previous load. The next
incremental loading will be added only after all the stipulated observations are
completed. Before next increment of loading the bridge will be observed thoroughly for
appearance and widening of flexural cracks. Test load shall be maintained for 24 hours
and readings at the interval of one hour shall be recorded. Final Test load shall be

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 unloaded in the same decrements and shall be maintained as during the loading period.
Observation shall be continued for 24 hours after removal of complete load at an
interval of one hour to measure the recovery.

6. OBSERVATION:-
The following observation shall be made before/during/after testing
i) Deflection at critical section
ii) Appearance of crack and their development, length, width and location
iii) Deformation of bearing
iv) Ambient temperature and relative temperature of the body in the structure

6.1 Measurement of Deflection:-

It will be done by dial gauges of least count 0.01mm and having a travel of 25mm.The
reading of deflection will be taken at every hour before/during/after 24 hrs.

6.2 Temperature Measurement:-

Temperature of the deck of the bridge will be monitored at the locations near to the
location of deformation gauges. The measurement will be taken by the digital thermometer.
The reading of temperature will be used to correct the deflection reading for change in
temperature.
6.3 Deformation of Bearing:-
Two dial gauges in one girder will be used for checking the deformation of bearings with
least count of 0.01 mm and travel of 25 mm. This reading will be used to correct the
deflection reading because at this higher load, bearing of bridge may deform.

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 Figure No. 1:-Drawing of C. C. D. 1 R.

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 Figure No. 2:- Figure No. 1:-Drawing of C. C. D. 1 R.

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 Figure No. 3:- Figure No. 1:-Drawing of C. C. D. 1 R.

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 Recording of Data
Following forms shall be filled during the test.

Form 1-A- Settlement Record

Settlement at L/4 (mm) Signature

Date Time (Hrs) Load (Ton) Temperature in 0C Remarks
DG-11 DG-21 DG-31 DG-41 Client Cont

The above test was witnessed by

S.B.T.H.P.L. Representative Client Representative

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Form 1-B- Settlement Record

Settlement at L/2 (mm) Signature

Date Time (Hrs) Load (Ton) Temperature in 0C Remarks
DG-12 DG-22 DG-32 DG-42 Client Cont

S.B.T.H.P.L. Representative Client Representative

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 Form 1-C- Settlement Record

Settlement at 3L/4 (mm) Temperature in Signature

Date Time (Hrs) Load (Ton) Remarks
0C
DG-13 DG-23 DG-33 DG-43 Client Cont

S.B.T.H.P.L. Representative Client Representative

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 Form 1-D- Settlement Record

Temperature
Settlement at Bearing (mm) Signature
Time Load

0C
Date Remarks
(Hrs) (Ton)

in
DG-10 DG-20 DG-30 DG-40 DG-14 DG-24 DG-34 DG-44 Client Cont

S.B.T.H.P.L. Representative Client Representative

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