Experimental Verification of Horizontally Curved I-Girder Bridge Behavior
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 5, Issue 4
Abstract
Past research has been conducted on the behavior of horizontally curved girders by testing scaled models and full-scale laboratory bridges and by analyzing numerical models. Current design specifications are based on this past research; however, little field data of in-service bridges exist to support the findings of the past research on which the current design criteria are based. The purpose of the present study was to gather field response data from three in-service, curved, steel I-girder bridges to determine behavior when subjected to a test truck and normal truck traffic. Transverse bending distribution factors and dynamic load allowance were calculated from the data collected. Numerical grillage models of the three bridges were developed to determine if a simple numerical model will accurately predict actual field measured transverse bending distribution, deflections, and cross-frame and diaphragm shear forces. The present study found that AASHTO specifications are conservative for both dynamic load allowance and transverse bending moment distribution. The grillage models were found to predict with reasonable accuracy the behavior of a curved I-girder bridge.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 5 • Issue 4 • November 2000
Pages: 284 - 292
History
Received: May 8, 1999
Published online: Nov 1, 2000
Published in print: Nov 2000
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