Load Test of the South Bridge has been Performed

On 23 October the South Bridge over the Daugava was tested with both static and dynamic loads. Loading of a bridge prior to commissioning is required to check its stability and safety for traffic.

Provisional results obtained during the test show that the bridge can be operated with the daily traffic loads determined by the Traffic Loads for Bridges standards of the Traffic Regulations and the Eurocode LVS EN 1991-2. Final results of the test will be known within a week.

Head of a group of specialists of the Roads and Bridges Department of the Riga Technical University Professor Ainārs Paeglītis says: “During the load test of the South Bridge, it could be visually established that the bridge bent inward under impact of the load.   Such occurrence in the process of loading bridges made of composite steel and concrete is absolutely normal, as the bridge is tested with the maximum load, similarly to what happens, when a person walks on a footbridge – the footbridge bends inward, so, when a bridge is loaded to the maximum, it reacts in the same way. The available measurements of testing the bridge under load show that the deflection conforms to what is determined in the project. The deflection has not lingered after removal of the load, as it was also anticipated, thus, confirming that the bridge is safe and is ready for commissioning shortly.”

Public Relations Division of the Riga City Council City Development Department