INDIAN RAILWAY STANDARD CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PLAIN, REINFORCED

AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FOR GENERAL BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

(CONCRETE BRIDGE CODE)
18 LOAD TESTING
18.2.1 General- The tests described in
this clause are intended as a check on
18.1 Load Tests on individual Precast
structures other than those covered by
Units
serviceability or strength.
18.1.1 General The load tests
18.2.2 Age at Test - The test should
described in this clause are intended as
be carried out as soon as possible after
checks on the quality of the units and
the expiry of 28 days from the time of
should not be used as a substitute for
placing the concrete. When the test is
normal design procedures. Where
for a reason other than the quality of the
members require special testing, such
concrete in the structure being in doubt,
special testing procedures should be in
the test may be carried out earlier
accordance with the specification. Test
provided that the concrete has already
loads are to be applied and removed
reached its specified characteristic
incrementally.
strength.
18.1.2 Non-destructive Test The unit
When
testing
prestressed
should be supported at its designed
concrete, allowance should be made for
points of support and loaded for 5 min.
the effect of prestress at the time of
with a load equal to the sum of the
testing being above its final value.
characteristic dead load plus 1.25 times
18.2.3 Test Loads The test loads to
the characteristic imposed load. The
deflection should then be recorded. The
be applied for the limit states of deflection
maximum deflection measured after
and local damage are the appropriate
application of the load should be in
design loads, i.e. the characteristic dead
accordance with the requirements that
and imposed loads. When the ultimate
should be defined by the engineer.
limit state is being considered, the test
load should be equal to the sum of the
The
recovery
should
be
characteristic dead load plus 1.25 times
measured 5 min. after the removal of
the characteristic imposed load and
the applied load and the load then
should be maintained for a period of 24h.
reimposed. The percentage recovery
If any of the final dead load is not in
after the second loading should be not
position on the structure, compensating
less than that after the first loading nor
loads should be added as necessary.
less than 90% of the deflection recorded
during the second loading. At no time
During the tests, struts and
during the test should the unit show any
bracing strong enough to support the
sign of weakness or faulty construction
whole load should be placed in position
as defined by the engineer in the light of
leaving a gap under the members to be
reasonable interpretation of relevant
tested and adequate precautions should
data.
be taken to safeguard persons in the
vicinity of the structure.
18.1.3 Special Test For very large
18.2.4 Measurements during the Tests
units, or units not readily amenable to
Measurements of deflection and crack
tests (such as columns, the precast
parts of composite beams, and
width should be taken immediately after
members designed for continuity or
the application of load and in the case of
fixity) the testing arrangements should
the 24h sustained load test at the end of
be agreed before such units are cast.
the 24h-loaded period after removal of
the load and after the 24h recovery
18.2 Load Test of Structures or
period. Sufficient measurements should
Parts of Structures
be taken to enable side effects to be
taken into account. Temperature and

INDIAN RAILWAY STANDARD CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PLAIN, REINFORCED

AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FOR GENERAL BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
(CONCRETE BRIDGE CODE)
18.2.5.5 If within 24 h of the removal of
weather conditions should be recorded
during the test.
the test load for the ultimate limit state
as calculated in 18.2.3 a prestressed
18.2.5 Assessment of Results In
concrete structures does not a recovery
assessing the serviceability of a structure
of at least 85% of the maximum
or part of a structure following a loading
deflection shown during the 24h under
test, the possible effects of variation in
load. The loading should be repeated.
temperature and humidity during the
The structure should be considered to
period of the test should be considered.
have failed to pass the test if the
The following recommendations
recovery after the second loading is not
should be met.
at least 85% of the maximum deflection
shown during the second loading.
18.2.5.1
For
reinforced
concrete
structures, the maximum width of any
crack
measured
immediately
on
application of the test load for local
damage should not be more than twothirds of the value for the limit state
requirement given in 10.2.1.
For
prestressed concrete structures, no
visible cracks should occur under the test
load for local damage.
18.2.5.2. For members spanning
between two supports, the deflection
measure immediately after application of
the test load for deflections should not
be more than 1/500 of the effective
span. Limits should be agreed before
testing cantilever portions of structures.
18.2.5.3 If the maximum deflection (in
millimeters) shown during the 24h under
load is less than 40 L2 /h where L is the
effective span (in metres) and h is the
overall depth of construction in
(millimeters), it is not necessary for the
recovery to be measured and 18.2.5.4
and 18.2.5.5 do not apply.
18.2.5.4 If within 24h of the removal of
the test load for the ultimate limit state
as calculated in 18.2.3 a reinforced
concrete structure does not show a
recovery of at least 75% of the
maximum deflection shown during the
24h under load. The loading should be
repeated the structure should be
considered to have failed to pass the
test if the recovery after the second
loading is not at least 75% of the
maximum deflection shown during the
second loading;

18.3

Non-destructive Tests (NDT)

Additional non destructive tests on the

hardened concrete in the structure as a
whole or any finished part of the
structure where necessary may be
carried out to as certain its integrity of
strength. Details of few non-destructive
techniques are given in Appendix-F