The test station allows full-size reinforced bridge components to be stress-tested in two different directions at the same time. (Image and video: Chair of Metal Structures)
Steel bridges cost a lot of money to build. It's been estimated that the new motorway viaduct near Oberthulba in Bavaria will cost around 85 million Euros. Planners know that in order to save on material costs, build components should be designed with as much openwork as possible, whilst maintaining stability. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have designed a new test rig for the massive parts in order to help the structural engineers gather stress data for their calculations. More than 2000 bridges throughout Germany are going to need rebuilding or restoration work over the next few years. At a probable cost of billions of Euros. Many of those bridges that need completely rebuilding will be replaced with steel constructions, which tend to be longer lasting, and easier to inspect and maintain than the older reinforced concrete structures.
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