Extending the useful lives of structures through load rating assessment, strengthening, rehabilitation and load testing. 

Load rating
A critical component of managing the bridge asset is to understand the load capacity of the bridge stock. With the aging profile of bridges, many have been designed to carry lighter design loads. However, with improved analytical techniques and through implementation of risk management techniques many bridges can be deemed to be suitable to carry current design loads.

In order to determine the load capacity of a bridge, pitt&sherry can undertake:

• An as-new load assessment of the structure
• A detailed inspection to identify any loss in structural capacity in the as-is condition
• An as-is load assessment.

Bridge strengthening

Strengthening solutions are developed to address deficiencies identified from the load rating assessment to suit each structure and site constraints. 

pitt&sherry assists in identifying a range of potential bridge strengthening methods including: 

pitt&sherry has developed a broad range of bridge strengthening methods including:

• External post-tensioning of pier crossheads
• Widening of blade piers
• Bonding of steel plates to pier crossheads and beams
• Infill walls between columns
• Widening of pier crossheads
• Strengthening of steel girder halving joints
• Carbon fibre to strengthen bridge decks and beams
• Provision of new shear connectors
• Strengthening of halving joints

Bridge rehabilitation

We can provide advice on the types of rehabilitation works that can assist in extending the life of a structure, including bridge painting, lead paint removal, cathodic protection or concrete repairs. 

Load testing

Often the load rating assessment process shows the capacity of a bridge to be marginal and the cost of strengthening is high. In these cases, pitt&sherry can undertake load testing of these structures to determine actual strains and deflections under live load.