Bridge Live‐Load Models
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 117, Issue 9
Abstract
Live load is an important load component for highway bridges. The paper summarizes the available data base and formulates the approach to calculating maximum moments and shears for various time periods. The live‐load data base consists of truck‐survey results. Moments and shear forces are calculated for surveyed trucks and various spans. The maximum load effects for time periods from one day to 75 years are derived by extrapolations and simulations. Calculations are performed for single‐lane and two‐lane bridges. For single lanes, the maximum moment and shear are caused by a single truck for spans up to about 100 ft (30 m). For longer spans, two trucks following behind each other govern. For two lanes, the maximum effect is obtained for two trucks side‐by‐side, with fully correlated weights. For the maximum 75‐year moment or shear, each side‐by‐side truck is represented by the maximum 1.5‐month truck. The effect of a 1.5‐month truck is about 15% smaller than that of a 75‐year truck.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Agarwal, A. C., and Wolkowicz, M. (1976). Interim report on 1975 commercial vehicle survey. Res. and Dev. Div., Ministry of Transp., Downsview, Ontario, Canada.
2.
Benjamin, J. R., and Cornell, C. A. (1970). Probability, statistics, and decision for civil engineers. McGraw‐Hill Book Co., New York, N.Y., 684.
3.
Hwang, E.‐S., and Nowak, A. S. (1991). “Simulation of dynamic load for bridges.” J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 117(5), 1413–1434.
4.
Moses, F., and Ghosn, M. (1985). “A comprehensive study of bridge loads and reliability.” Report No. FHWA/OH‐85/005, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, Ohio.
5.
Standard specifications for highway bridges. (1989). Am. Assoc. of State Highway and Transp. Officials, Washington, D.C.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 117 • Issue 9 • September 1991
Pages: 2757 - 2767
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 ASCE.
History
Published online: Sep 1, 1991
Published in print: Sep 1991
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.