ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the historical development and current practices of bridge load tests in Europe and the United States. The use of load tests to prove the capacity of structures is as old as mankind and plays an important role in the historical development of reinforced concrete design and construction. Historically, load tests provided proof that a structure could carry a certain load and, therefore, they were likely used to convince the people of the bearing capability of bridges. With the development of static calculations and of acceptable design rules, load tests became unnecessary for new structures. However, currently, strength evaluation of existing structures is becoming more and more important and the advantages of experimental assessments are used. The chapter describes the development of the technology of load testing and shows the European and American way of practice.
