Serviceability analysis and increased axle load performance of heritage arch gallery railway bridge

A heritage arch gallery railway bridge, part of the UNESCO-listed Kalka Shimla Mountain Railways, can sustain train speeds up to 40 km/h under current axle loading conditions. This finding emerges from a serviceability analysis and performance assessment conducted using finite element modeling (FE) and modal analysis techniques. Researchers developed an FE model based on available engineering drawings and reports, then refined it using data from ambient vibration tests (AVT) and operational modal analysis (OMA). The updated model allowed for the evaluation of the bridge's structural response to present-day axle loads and speeds, as well as the feasibility of increased speeds and higher axle loads. The study concluded that Bridge No. 541 meets serviceability conditions advised by both Indian Railways and international codes, providing critical insights for the preservation and operation of this historic railway infrastructure.

Sivasubramanian, M. V., Shimpi, V., Singh, S. B.,. (2021). Serviceability analysis and increased axle load performance of heritage arch gallery railway bridge. Revista de La Construcción, 20(1), 178–189. https://doi.org/10.7764/rdlc.20.1.178