Topographic Measurements and Statistical Analysis in Static Load Testing of Railway Bridge Piers

The aim of the paper is to identify a suitable method for assessing the deformation of structures (buildings, bridges, walls, etc.) by means of topographic measurements of significant targets positioned on the infrastructure under consideration. In particular, the paper describes an approach to testing a bridge in a mixed structure (concrete and steel). The methodological approach developed can be schematised into the following main phases: (i) surveying using total stations (TSs) in order to obtain the spatial coordinates of the targets by means of the three-dimensional intersection technique (planimetric and altimetric measurements); (ii) least-squares compensation for the measurements performed; (iii) displacement analysis; and (iv) statistical evaluation of the reliability of the results. This method was evaluated on a case study of a newly built double-track railway bridge, located near the metropolitan area of the city of Bari, Italy, during various loading and unloading activities. The results obtained, evaluated by means of certain statistical tests, made it possible to verify the structural suitability of the bridge.