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View the Load Test Data on the Archtec system here.

TESTING TO DESTRUCTION IN UNITED KINGDOMS TRANSPORT RESEARCH LABORATORY'S STRUCTURES HALL

Bridge Engineers at the United Kingdoms Transport Research Laboratory have successfully completed the latest in a series of masonry arch tests designed to investigate a variety of strengthening methods for bridges. This recent test used anchors manufactured by CLS CINTEC and installed to a scheme designed by Gifford and Partners Consulting Engineers, Southampton, UK.

The Arch tested had a 5 m (16 1/2 ft) span and was constructed of non-engineering bricks and lome mortar. Ring separation was built in to the arch by incorporating a layer of sand between each ring. The strengthening utilised a total of 8 anchors drilled from the crown of the arch tangentially through the arch ring. The location of the anchors was determined from a numerical simulation carried out by Gifford and Partners. Each anchor comprised 25 mm (1") dia bars grouted into 65 mm (2 1/2") dia holes, using the CINTEC anchoring system.

The arch was tested to destruction by loading with a knife edge load at the quarter point. The maximum load reached was 41 tonnes, which represented a 100% strength increase when compared to a previous test on an unstrengthened arch. The test was continued beyond the maximum load under controlled displacements until the bottom ring of the arch fell, at which point the test was stopped. Two rings of the arch supported by the anchors continued to stand and were finally demolished later after a further 200 mm displacement by the jacking system.

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February 9, 1998