Untersuchungen zur Genauigkeit von magnetisch induktiven Betondeckungsmessungen

Assessment of the accuracy of concrete cover measurements using Eddy Current devices The use of non‐destructive testing in civil‐engineering (NDT‐CE) is well established to assess as‐built drawings for existing structures as well as for quality assurance of new buildings or in case of concrete repair. To gain reliable results the choice of the appropriate testing method in combination with the correct data assessment is essential. Hence this article starts with the basics of the two typical testing methods for concrete cover measurement with high precision. Methods based on Eddy Current and based on Radar are different. The strengths and limitations of both methods are presented. In the second part the achievable accuracy of concrete cover measurements using Eddy Current will be assessed for the most important parameters that have been varied in a wide range. It is shown how results are influenced by an improper input of the diameter or by the effect of neighbored rebars. At the end of the article it is shown how the deviation of the results can be minimized using the internal neighboring rebar correction of some of the devices. This article does not intend to be a product test rather the influence parameters of measurements close to reality will be identified and quantified how the accuracy of concrete cover measurements is affected.     

Beurteilung der Tragfähigkeit von geschädigten Stahlbetonbrücken auf der Grundlage der Ergebnisse einer Bauwerksprüfung

Structural Reliability Assessment of Damaged Reinforced Concrete Bridges on the Basis of the Results from a Bridge Inspection The regular bridge inspection is of high importance for the reliable use of the infrastructure. This paper describes and explains a method with supports the engineers of a bridge inspection in the assessment of the damaged bridges during or directly after the inspection. Based on this initial estimate the urgent measures i.e. a lower permitted bridge class can still be carried out before more detailed inspections and calculations have been done. The reliability analyses for the damaged bridges are carried out using first order and second order reliability method (FORM and SORM). The probability of failure, p_f or the safety index, of the system respectively are the main results of the calculation procedure. This paper shows the approach and the application with an example. Particularly in the communal sector the method can be helpful, because it can not be assumed that in all cases the regular bridge inspections and the appropriate maintenance have been carried out.     

Bewertung einer alten genieteten Stahlbrücke – Die Bösebrücke in Berlin

Evaluation of an old riveted steel bridge – The Böse‐Bridge in Berlin, Germany. This report is about the recalculation of the Böse‐Bridge in Berlin which was built between 1912 and 1916. A special feature of this three‐bayed truss arch bridge is the nickel steel used in the main bay. Different models have been used to recalculate the main structure, the truss nodes and the carriageway slab. The static analysis is based on the semi‐probabilistic concept. As a result of this recalculation the construction was classified to have the bridge capacity 30‐30 according to DIN 1072. Finally, this report concludes by determining the remaining lifetime depending on the concept of the Wöhler curves.     

Feldversuche mit dem Brückenklappverfahren

Field Tests with the Balanced Lift Method As a counterpart to the lowering arch construction method the “balanced lift method” for bridge girders is suggested. The bridge girders can be built in combination with the pier using climbing forms in a vertical position. Therefore, during the production no bending stresses are generated in the girders. Thus, the balanced lift method allows lower costs and a shorter construction time than the traditional balanced cantilever method. The span of the bridge girders is reduced by the compression struts or tension ties which results in substantial savings in construction materials compared to the balanced cantilever method for bridge construction. The proposed method will be especially advantageous for bridges with high piers. The range of the span length for the application of the balanced lift method ranges between 50 m and 250 m.     

Messtechnische Überwachung extern vorgespannter Betonbrücken

Monitoring of reinforced concrete bridges retrofitted by external tendons An established retrofitting method for bridges with deficits in their load bearing capacity is the installation of external tendons to increase the lifespan of the structure. A critical detail of the retrofitting is the anchorage block, where significant forces have to be introduced into the existing superstructure. Therefore, the anchorage blocks of three bridges in Hessen were monitored. They were fitted with extensometers, strain gauges were installed on prestressing rods and the temperature was recorded. Furthermore alert protocols were established, to detect potentially critical situations. The effects of different construction stages were tracked. The influence of short‐ and long‐term temperature changes on the readings was assessed. In summary, the monitoring provided valuable insights into the structural interaction between the existing superstructure and the elements of the retrofitting.     

基坑开挖对邻近任意角度建筑物影响的有限元分析

实测结果表明,邻近基坑的建筑物与基坑边互不垂直时,基坑开挖将导致墙体同时发生挠曲变形与扭转变形。三维有限元分析表明,对与基坑边成一定角度的建筑物,当其跨越坑外沉降槽最低点或沉降曲线上凸区域时,建筑物所产生的扭转变形最为显著。随着建筑物与基坑距离的变化和建筑物纵墙与基坑边之间夹角的变化,当建筑物位于天然地面沉降挠曲程度较大的位置时,建筑物的挠曲变形对墙体拉应变起主要作用,墙体最大拉应变发生在建筑物纵墙垂直于基坑边,即纵墙与基坑边相互垂直时是建筑物的最不利位置;而当建筑物位于天然地面挠曲程度较小的位置时,墙体的拉应变源于挠曲变形与扭转变形的共同作用,纵墙墙体的最大拉应变将发生在与基坑边成一定角度的建筑物纵墙上,此时纵墙与基坑边垂直并不是建筑物的最不利位置。     

A Review of: “Introduction to structures” W. R. Spillers Ellis Horwood Limited,Chichester, UK, 1985, 262 pp, £10.00

A generalized systems theory can be used in the identification and analysis of complex engineering problems. In a system formulation, an image or a model of an object which emphasizes certain important and critical properties is defined. System definition is usually the first step in an overall methodology formulated for achieving a set of objectives. This work represents the first step in a study that aims at the development of a real-time control system of construction activities. A hierarchical control system was determined to be the most suitable control scheme for construction activities. In this paper, a system definition of a construction activity is presented. The hierarchical system classification enables the decomposition of the overall construction activity into subsystems that represent the different underlying processes. Each process consists of several tasks. The classification method also allows the decomposition of the overall tasks into subtasks. This step is an important requirement for hierarchical control. The decomposition of tasks and activities allows accurate feedback decisions within the control scheme. The concepts developed in the paper were illustratively applied to define a concrete placement activity.     

ÖBB Steyrtalbrücke – Belastungsprobe und Langzeitmessungen

ÖBB Steyrtalbridge – Load test and long term measurements At km 65,621 of the railroad track between Linz and Selzthal the Steyrtalbridge was rebuilt in the years 2013 and 2014. The essential design criterion from the client ÖBB Infrastruktur AG was the endeavor of an optimized bridge under consideration of life‐cylce‐cost, which among other things despite a bridge length of 182 m can be designed without high‐maintenance breather switches. Based on the current standards and certain design flexibilities, which are allowed in the codes special ways and techniques were used to calculate the rail tension. With this results of the rail‐structure‐interaction it was possible to design without breather switches. As consequence of the assumptions in the planning process it was necessary to make comprehensive measurements which shall give information of the real behavior of the bridge and compare them with the assumptions and results of the static calculation. Therefor static and dynamic load test were performed before opening to regular traffic. In addition long term measurements were carried out to evaluate the load‐bearing behavior over time and to confirm the calculation approaches for the verification of the rail‐structure‐interaction. In this article the planning of the monitoringsystem, the implementation and results of the load test and the following long term measurements are illustrated.     

Museumsinsel Berlin – Geotechnische Untersuchungen für die Grundinstandsetzung und Ergänzung des Pergamonmuseums

Museum Island in Berlin – Geotechnical investigations for the overhauling and completion of the Pergamon Museum. Overhauling the Pergamon Museum on the Museum Island in Berlin is a particularly complex task concerning geotechnics. On the one hand the substratum and ground water conditions in the area concerned are very inhomogeneous and on the other hand the Pergamon Museum and its neighbouring museums are especially valuable buildings worthy of protection. The initial target of the geotechnical investigation programme was to further safeguard the substratum and ground water conditions. Here systematic investigation of the substratum was carried out based on old historical drillings in order to enable the use of innovative special civil and underground engineering procedures. Furthermore it was necessary to investigate the foundation situation of the existing buildings. The planning objective is the technical and cost‐effectively optimized choice of the required geotechnical measures for the intended overhaul and refurbishment of the Pergamon Museum.     

Influence of morphology on high-temperature rheological properties of bitumen modified with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer

Different microstructures of the same polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) were obtained by subjecting the bitumen modified with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer to isothermal annealing at various temperatures. The effects of the morphology on the rheological properties of SBS-modified bitumen were investigated within the high-temperature range. The PMB microstructures were quantitatively evaluated using image analysis. A dynamic shear rheometer was used to measure the rheological parameters of the PMB samples and perform the multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) test. A quantitative basis could be established on which to discuss the relationship between the PMB morphology and rheology. The image analysis indicated that conditioning by isothermal annealing evidently led to a difference in the microstructure of the samples. Variation of the thermal history is demonstrated to be a practical way to vary the morphology of the PMB with the same raw materials and formulation. Compared with the two-phase morphology, the single-phase microstructure tended to have a narrower linear viscoelastic (LVE) region of the PMB. Within the LVE region, especially at low frequencies, the homogenous PMB can store more energy when experiencing loadings and is more elastic. Outside the LVE region, based on the MSCR test results, the homogenous morphology could assist in reaching a higher percentage of strain recovery after the creep period.