Section 17 in The Railways (Opening for Public Carriage of Passengers) Rules, 2000
17. Procedure for inspection of bridges.
(1)The Commissioner shall examine at least one bridge of each different pattern or type and satisfy himself about the adequacy with reference to safety of -(a)the general design of the bridge;(b)designs of different parts or portions of the bridge;(c)the construction and erection of the whole structure of the bridge;(d)girder spans and their bedding at all four supports; and(e)type and design of bearings in regard to pre-stressed bridges.(2)Where the Commissioner feels that it is necessary for the purpose of inspection and to see whether any riveting has been properly and efficiently executed, he may order the cutting out any rivets and may also order the dismantling of any part of the structure of the bridge for more detailed examination.(3)If the Commissioner considers it necessary, in addition to the certificate of a Bridge Engineer employed for the purpose, he can call for the Load Deflection Test under the loads for which the bridge is designed and where this is not possible under the heaviest loads available.(4)(a)When making Card Deflection Test, the test cards are to be placed at right angles to the centre line of the track, in order to record oscillation and the recording pencil point should be as fine as possible.(b)When central deflection is measured, allowance shall be made for the deflection, if any, of the abutments.(5)In order to record the static deflection, the test shall be carried out at dead slow speed and at the maximum permissible speed of the section and the speed shall be carefully measured by stopwatch or by some automatic means.(6)The actual deflection cards shall be submitted to the Commissioner together with a statement of deflections and oscillations in Form XVIII.(7)The deflection of the girder shall be worked out theoretically and shall be shown in column 12 of Form XVIII to enable a comparison being made with the observed deflection.(8)In addition to the Card Deflection Test, the Commissioner may, at his discretion, require Stress Recorder Test to be carried out on any plate or open web girders of clear spans exceeding 30 metres.(9)(a)Stress Recorder Test shall be carried out with a stress recorder of approved type.(b)Tests loads and speeds shall be as specified for card Deflection Tests.(c)Tests shall be taken, on the chords or flanges at mid span and on such web and floor members as the Commissioner shall specify,(d)If a sufficient number of instruments are available, these tests shall be made simultaneously.(10)The stress recorder diagrams together with calculations showing how the maximum stress under the design load with full impact (including dead load stresses) is deduced from the measured stress shall be submitted to the Commissioner who shall, before sanctioning the opening of the bridge, satisfy himself that the stresses in the girders will not exceed those specified in the IRS Steel Bridge Code, 1962.(11)If the Commissioner is satisfied that the girder has been properly designed for the work it is intended to perform, then, the open web and plate girders are not required to be tested.(12)New plate girders of standard designs need not be tested if those girders were inspected at the time of their manufacture by the Research, Design and Standards Organisation or any other inspecting agency and a certificate of satisfactory erection including the seating of the bearings and field riveting has been given.(13)The Commissioner may decide that the second hand plate girders are not required to be tested if he is satisfied that -(i)the girder is strong enough for the work it is intended to perform; and(ii)the responsible officer of the concerned railway has certified that the condition of the material and workmanship are such that the use of the girder for the specified loading shall not involve stresses in excess of those permitted in the IRS Steel Bridge Code,1962, provided that this sub-rule shall not apply to welded girders.(14)The Commissioner may have tests of any number of spans made and may have a span tested any number of times and at any speeds as he considers desirable, up to the maximum permissible speed of the Section.(15)Card Deflection Test shall be carried out for each welded girder including second hand girders, and results of such tests, together with the cards, shall be supplied to the Commissioner.(16)The Commissioner shall examine as many welded girders as possible and shall also have Card Deflection Test of any welded girder carried out in his presence.(17)The Commissioner shall be supplied with a certificate from the engineer (not below the Junior Administrative Grade) responsible for design and construction of the bridge to the effect that welds have been designed in accordance with the IRS Code for Mild Steel Bridges carrying rail, 1972 and executed to the satisfaction of the said engineer.(18)If radiographic examination of the welds is specified in the drawing or procedure sheet or is required to be done in accordance with the provisions of the IRS Code for Mild Steel Bridges carrying rail, 1972, the results of such examination shall be annexed to the certificate.
