Journals Proceedings

Abstract

In the design phase structures generally are designed according to their strength capacity and should ensure proper service during its lifetime. The structural calculation is made from a certain material and considering loads and overloads. Due to the uncertainties in the construction processes and even when the necessary tests are performed, it is necessary to use safety factors that enable encompass the effect of these "imponderables". In the case of bridges and viaducts, before being put into service, is mandatory to check the correct operation of the structure from the "load tests". In them, especially in static load tests, vertical displacements of significant points of the structure are compared. In this way, the vertical displacements measured are compared with those obtained with the structural analysis are compared; and recovery of its original geometry. The present research focuses on the comparison of both results of load tests in different structures for a statistical study to define a confidence interval of the difference of vertical displacements and its possible extrapolation to the safety factors used according to the regulations that may apply. Discussed, thus the possible reduction of these coefficients with the consequent economic savings in the construction of such structures.