This paper presents a new concept to evaluate the shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams without shear reinforcement having flexural shear failure. Based on experimental observations, it is proposed that the opening of the critical inclined crack can be considered as the lower bound for the shear capacity of a structural member. It is also proposed that the unstable opening of the critical inclined crack is triggered when the shear displacement in an existing flexural crack reaches a critical value ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{cr}$ . Thus the critical shear displacement is used as a failure criterion, and based on that a new shear evaluation method is proposed. The method shows agreeable accuracy when compared with test results in literature.

Nowadays, with the aging of the bridges and the advancements in technology, load testing has emerged as an effective method to assess existing concrete bridges with missing information, or where analytical methods do not provide an accurate assessment. Two types of load tests are identified: diagnostic load tests and proof load tests. Both rely on field measurements of parameters or structural responses of the bridge during the test. A diagnostic load test measures the response of the bridge so that analytical models can be calibrated and evaluated. In a proof load test, the bridge directly demonstrates that it can carry a certain load. Since large loads are applied, the bridge needs to be carefully monitored. In this case, monitoring the measurements provide a warning to avoid damage. This paper reviews the literature on reported load tests and the measurement techniques used during these tests. It also includes a review of traditional and recently developed sensing technologies. Finally, the measurement requirements for diagnostic and proof load tests are given as well as a flow chart to guide engineers in the selection process of appropriate monitoring and measurement techniques during load tests. This paper can serve engineers during the preparation of a load test.

In countries with steep rivers, such as Japan and the United States, bridges fail on an annual basis. Bridges on spread footings are especially susceptible to failure by hydrodynamic loading, often exacerbated by debris damming. Here, such failures are investigated via small scale model laboratory experiments and full scale numerical simulations. In the laboratory, lift and drag forces and overturning moment on bridge decks, piers, and deck-pier systems, are measured and compared with threshold of failure criteria used in design guidelines. Effects of debris on lift, drag, and moment, as well as three-dimensional effects, are quantified. Via numerical simulations, flow patterns and free surface behaviour responsible for these forces are investigated, and described in a framework as a function of the water depth, flow speed, deck clearance, and girder height. Results show that current guidelines are non-conservative in some cases. Importantly, failure of both decks and piers can be prevented by strengthening pier-deck connections, or by streamlining decks.