Feasibility of conditioning monitoring of bearings used in a viaduct

Abstract

A model to predict the relative deflections of the bearings used at the ends of a viaduct has been derived. The predicted responses are in excellent agreement with the measured results using eddy probes. The onset of deflections is clearly detected, and significant deflections are obtained only when a train is passing through the viaduct. The amplitude of deflection when a train is on the viaduct is of an order or two higher than the ambient. This technique shows great potential in assessing the elasticity of the elastomeric material used in the bearings. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.