19.09.14
Design life of structures
Source: Peter Doran
I worked on a railway structure (long ago) where we carried out a similar programme of works.
Subsequently we found the increased weight and speed of traffic allowed by the improvements started to ‘use up’ the nominal 120-year fatigue life at a surprising rate (evidenced by weld and connection problems), which required a further strengthening after a few years to restore the useful life to meet the 120-year structural design life.
Hopefully the Selby bridge was improved to meet both fatigue and weathering / serviceability requirements.
Re: Selby Swing bridge re-opened after £14m works completed