Field testing and dynamic analysis of old continuous truss steel bridge

Paper presents dynamic field test and analysis results of a three span railway steel continuous truss bridge over river Neris in Jonava. Bridge was originally constructed in 1914. In the period of the World War II and afterwards the bridge was many time destroyed by German and Soviet armies. In 1948 the new railway bridge was constructed. Object of the present paper is to evaluate dynamic behaviour of the railway bridge after 67 years in service. Experimental dynamic analysis was divided into resonance-vibration, forced-vibration and free vibration studies. Resonance-vibrations of the bridge were excited by separate actions of shock loading and standard locomotive 2M62. Forced-vibrations were measured under the action of locomotive 2M62. Additionally, free vibration tests under passage of freight and passenger trains have been carried out. Structural dynamic response of the bridge was analysed using Bruel & Kjaer LAN XI dynamic test system and software. As a result, main dynamic parameters of the bridge were obtained. The main results include: mode shapes, frequencies of natural and forced vibrations, damping ratios, maximum amplitudes of accelerations, dynamic displacements. The obtained values were compared to the requirements of different design codes. Based on the achieved results concluding remarks and recommendations regarding the condition of the bridge after long-term period in service were presented.