Bridge-specific Assessment Techniques for the Strengthening and Refurbishment of the West Gate Bridge, Melbourne

摘要

This paper describes the approach taken in the structural assessment of the West Gate Bridge andrnthe design of strengthening, and describes the challenge of upgrading a bridge such as this while itrncontinues to carry extremely busy traffic on one of Melbourne's most important transport arteries.rnThe bridge specific assessment approach adopted has led to considerable savings in strengtheningrnrequirements when compared to what would be required by the application of standard bridgerndesign criteria. Certain economies and efficiencies have been achieved by optimising thernstrengthening details through the application of sophisticated non-linear analysis techniques.