Bridge Structure, Wernfeld

The Würzburg State Building Authority ordered a structural review of the bridge. Various types of damage were identified on the structure, particularly corrosion damage to structural steel and reinforcing steel. These issues compromise the bridge’s structural stability and durability.

The B26 bridge over the Deutsche Bahn tracks near Wernfeld was first built in 1910 and rebuilt in 1951 after being blown up in 1945. The structure is a steel composite bridge with three continuous spans. The bridge crosses the Deutsche Bahn tracks at an angle of 85° and has a longitudinal slope of 3% and a transverse slope of 4%.

As part of the recalculation, the bridge superstructure was analyzed as a spatial truss system consisting of longitudinal girders, cross-bracing, and supports. The existing steel sections were taken into account as found on site. The infill concrete of the deck slab between the longitudinal girders was assumed in a simplified manner. The supports of the piers on the foundations were treated as fixed supports; the supports of the bridge girders on the fixed abutment side were also treated as fixed supports, while those on the movable abutment side were treated as longitudinally sliding supports.