ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Field tests confirm additional strength capacity in existing bridges, particularly in the case of precast-prestressed concrete bridges, despite their visual condition and age. Sources that explain the differences are multiple and may be related to different site-specific parameters that are not considered during the strength evaluation of a bridge structure. This study aimed at presenting a load rating protocol using experimental data collected with robust and reliable measurement devices to perform an experimental strength evaluation of prestressed concrete bridges in LRFD format. The case study presented herein demonstrates how site-specific parameters that are measured during a diagnostic load test can be incorporated into the strength evaluation of a bridge to improve its load rating capacity. Bridge A7957's experimental data and experimental evaluation methodology are expected to encourage more discussion among bridge designers and evaluators to better understand and improve current bridge analysis and evaluation practices of precast-prestressed concrete bridges.
