Evaluation of the Szapáry Long-Span Box Girder Bridge Using Static and Dynamic Load Tests

This paper presents the results of a recent field test carried out before opening phases Szapáry motorway bridge across Tisza River in central Hungary. The evaluation was based on static and dynamic load tests that provided information deflection, stresses, mode shapes along bridge. structure has two large continuous independent steel box girders cover spans floodplain river. Various configurations truck loading applied up to 6400 kN deck. During tests, string potentiometers recorded deflections at mid-span. Additionally, strain gauges enabled strain/stress measurements mid-point longest span directly above one support. Dynamic loadings showed variation deflection response due vehicle speed, ambient vibration testing led determining modes frequencies. A three-dimensional finite-element model produced similar deflections, modal behavior. Measured modeled stresses indicated performed within design margins. analysis will be part future program assessing conditioned-based maintenance.