Abstract:
The effect of corbels on the state of continuity in timber bridges is investigated. Full-scale twospan
beams with corbels were erected in the Structures Laboratory at UTS using laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
elements for two extreme boundary conditions, namely, simply- and fixed-supported conditions. The state of
continuity in the test beams were assessed using static and dynamic tests followed by an analytical study of the
results. The former shows a slight reduction in the vertical mid-span displacement as the rigidity of the continuity
increases. A similar trend was also observed by an increase in the first natural frequency by the dynamic test. The
test results were then compared to a benchmark case of a simply-supported span in order to quantify the results.
The investigation provided an insight into the use of vertical displacement at mid-span and the first natural
frequency to assess and determine boundary conditions in the structural appraisal of full-scale timber bridges.
