TEST AND ANALYSIS OF LATERAL STIFFNESS OF DECK-TYPE STEEL PLATE GIRDER BRIDGES

In this paper, the shortage of lateral stiffness of the deck-type steel plate girder bridges is studied, and two suggestions are given to reduce the harm caused by the shortages. The vibration tests were conducted on steel girders of two bridges in the Suihua-Jiamusi Railway Line, using passing trains to test whether the lateral stiffness can meet the requirements of the operation safety. The test data show that when freight trains (especially the mixed trains with empty and full-load vehicles) pass the bridges at high speeds, the lateral amplitudes at the mid-span of the girder seriously exceed the allowance given by the Code, and the shortage of lateral stiffness of upper plate girders is a serious threat to the traffic safety. It is proposed to limit the freight trains speed on the bridge to 45km/h in the short-term and build new bridges in the long-term.