Search

The paper presents results of systematic tests of contraction and thermal expansion coefficients of materials based on polymer composites. The information on the above material properties is essential both at the design stage and during the use of finished products. Components for the samples were selected in such a way as to represent typical materials used for production of construction and moulding elements. The performed tests made it possible to monitor the analysed parameters at different stages of the technological process.

The paper presents proposals for the use of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites for the construction of engineering objects, known and commonly used in the shipbuilding industry. An example of a pedestrian footbridge was used in this case, which, despite the considerable thickness of the structural material, was made using infusion technology in one production cycle. The designed and produced footbridge span is durable, dynamically resistant, incombustible, easy to install and maintain, resistant to weather conditions and also aesthetically interesting. For footbridge production environmentally friendly PET foam core may be used. It may come from recycling of used plastic packages and which is produced with less energy consumption process and much less CO2 emission. The load bearing part of the structure (skin) is made of polymer laminate reinforced with glass fabrics (GFRP).

The paper analyses possible causes of failure of the rotating footbridge over the Ustka port channel. In July, 2015, strange behaviour of this object was observed in the form of excessive vibrations of bridge platform suspension rods, with the accompanying acoustic effects. A preliminary geotechnical analysis has revealed that this destructive effect was caused by the nearby construction works, namely construction of a fishing basin and communication routes in the area close to the bridge, which affected the bridge lashing rod foundation settings. Ground vibrations generated by certain construction activities were likely to have direct impact on decreasing the bearing capacity of these rods and increasing the susceptibility od the piles to extraction. After detecting the above problems in bridge operation, its geodetic monitoring was started. The data recorded during this monitoring, along with the results of force measurements in the rods, have made the basis for a series of numerical simulations, performed in the Finite Element Method (FEM) formalism. The bridge structure was analysed in the conditions defined as the emergency state. Extreme efforts of bridge elements and its dynamic characteristics were examined. A possible source of strange behaviour of the footbridge during its operation which was recognised during these simulations was the coincidence of the global natural frequency of the entire bridge structure with local vibrations of suspension rods, at the frequency approximately equal to 1 Hz. This situation was likely to lead to the appearance of the so-called internal resonance phenomenon. As a final conclusion of the research, recommendations were formulated on possible object oriented corrective actions.

Development strategy for the port of Gdańsk assumes that , up to 2027, it will become the main transport centre in the Baltic Sea region. To this end , for many years work has been carried out to facilitate access to the port both by sea and land. One of the elements of extension of the port is the building of another terminal of Deepwater Container Terminal, Gdańsk. In this task, geotechnical operations aimed at appropriate preparation of subgrade for storage of containers and operation of cranes, have been especially important. Effectiveness of the assumed design solution of land-side girder for gantry crane has been verified by means of a technical monitoring system. This paper presents main elements of design the land-side girder of a new quay of the container terminal in Gdańsk, together with its computational analysis, as well as the results collected during a few months of observation, which have revealed real work of monitored elements.

Experimental dynamic tests and numerical simulations of a 3 meters long segment of a footbridge made of polymer composites are presented in the paper. The span-length is reduced, however dimensions of cross-section are the same as the target footbridge. The segment structure is made of sandwich panels, which consist of fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates (skins) and a PET foam (core). The first part of the paper contains description and results of experimental dynamic tests, which were subjected to the structure. The excitations during these tests was realised by a group of people standing or jumping on the structure deck. The obtained results allowed to determine natural frequencies as well as damping ratios. Moreover, cyclic loading was applied to the structure deck to check the possibility of delamination or debonding occurrence, as a result of repetitive dynamic excitations. The second part contains validation of numerical model - results of numerical analysis and its comparison with the experimental ones.

This article presents the research on the mechanical characteristics of concrete in the construction of three concrete bridges. A system of recording the internal temperature of concrete and automatic control of laboratory ovens was used for specimen curing. This allowed the specimens to be cured under conditions similar to those occurring in the structure. Before the construction, reference blocks were used to define similar curing conditions. Maximum setting temperatures ranged from 47.6 °C to 62.0 °C and had a favorable effect on the properties of the concrete at an early age. For concretes with the use of CEM I cement, after 3 days of curing, the strength obtained was up to 8.2 MPa (23%) higher than that for specimens cured under standard conditions. The modulus of elasticity was higher up to 4.9 GPa (21%). For concrete with the use of CEM III cement, these differences were 26.9 MPa (174%) and 10.3 GPa (64%), respectively. After 7 days of curing, the results were close to each other and after 14, 28, and 56 days, higher values were obtained for specimens cured under standard conditions. The value of the modulus of elasticity of concrete was determined using the direct method according to Eurocode and the standard A method. A test load of the bridge was carried out to verify the modulus values obtained from laboratory tests. The highest consistency (99%) between the theoretical deflections and those measured in the test load was achieved when using the stabilized modulus values obtained on specimens cured under structure conditions in the FEM model. The research confirms the necessity of determining the mechanical characteristics of concrete with taking into account the curing conditions of concrete in the structure. A procedure for determining the mechanical properties of concrete for the correct construction of a bridge is proposed. These results can also be used in the development of a digital twin for bridge management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents acceptance load tests of a newly built extradosed MS-3 bridge located along the national road DK-16 near Ostróda (Poland). The structure features significant dimension in European reference scale. It is a new record holder in span length regarding this distinct bridge category. Its length ranges 206 m. Static and dynamic load tests were performed here. The program was extended by entire structural laser scanning and identification of natural vibration forms.

Pedestrians are most at risk when they are crossing the road. This represents a significant proportion of all fatalities among pedestrians, amounting respectively to 50% in non-built-up areas and 75% in built-up areas. The most frequent reason for this accident is failure to give way. What is most terrible is that 30% of pedestrian accidents occurred at marked pedestrian crossings. Therefore, an important part of pedestrian safety management is selecting the right type of crossings, which are suitable for the conditions. At certain speeds and traffic volume, the only safe option for pedestrian crossings is to apply multi-level solutions, that is footbridges or tunnels. The paper presents examples of infrastructure redesign by constructing footbridges and hence, separating pedestrians and vehicular traffic to improve pedestrian safety.

The purpose of this article is to show the modern engineering, in which sustainability and taking care of ecology play a significant role. The authors are focused on FRP composite materials and their applications in civil engineering. Case studies showing renovation and design of new bridges with the use of FRP are presented and discussed to clarify benefits, which this solution provides. Main advantages of FRP materials in comparison with traditional ones, like concrete or steel are showed. The environmental impact of composites is described with respect to all life cycle of a product. Furthermore, some forms of waste management are covered. Last part of the paper refers to scientific description of the pedestrian bridge made of FRP, which was realized under the Fobridge research grant. The group of researchers headed by professor Chróścielewski from Gdansk University of Technology has developed a design solution of the pedestrian bridge manufactured in one production cycle. Moreover, the footbridge construction contains a significant share of a recyclable material commonly called PET. The article contains main characteristics of the structure and production process based on the resin infusion.

Selected results of the static analysis of composite sandwich footbridge with the corresponding in situ measured values are compared in the paper. The analysed bridge is a research object, which was built in 2015 and is currently located at the Gdańsk University of Technology campus. Since it is a novel structure, a proper definition of the bridge numerical model, allowing its safe design, is very important. Therefore, instead of some preliminary research, carried out on sandwich beams or the bridge segment, also the calculated structural properties of the full scale object should match the experimentally predicted response. This verification was required to obtain permission for the bridge exploitation, according to the government regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]