Construction and calculation of railway bridges are significantly determined by the interaction track/bridge

Construction and calculation of railway bridges are significantly determined by the interaction track/bridge. The actual regulations contain specifications to limit the rail stresses and the scope of the simplified calculation method. This method can only be used for specific conditions of bridge and track. Thus it is not determined to which extend the simplified calculation method is transferable to rail 54 E4 and lighter sleepers which are frequently used on main lines. At a first step the studies concerning the permissible additional rail stresses are examined. Furthermore the article gives an overview to the results of calculations of executed steel bridges with lengths from 70 to 104m and a prospect to the future update of the regulations concerning the rail stresses and the scope of the simplified calculation method due to interaction rail/bridge.