Full Scale Testing of Modular Steel Footbridge

Modular steel footbridges are utilized where rapid installation is required for pedestrian access across roadways and rivers. It is imperative that structural testing is undertaken to ensure the safety of these bridges. In this paper, full scale testing of a modular steel footbridge is described. The footbridge consists of 12 modules connected together to form an overall length of 29.3 m. The main top and bottom chord members of each module consist of square hollow sections while the vertical members consist of channel sections and the vertical triangular bracing consist of square hollow sections. The top and bottom internal members can be folded in such a manner as to bring the sides of the module together, thus allowing the modules to be stacked and transported to the site. The strength performance of the footbridge is assessed by carrying out an ultimate failure test on the footbridge using a combination of uniformly distributed load and point load. The uniformly distributed load was applied by pumping water into two custom-made large watertight bags located on the walkway platform of the bridge. The point loads were applied on the top of the footbridge using a loading jack and heavy I-beams.