Distribution of Wheel Loads on Continuous Steel Spread-Box Girder Bridges
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 7, Issue 3
Abstract
Composite concrete-steel spread (multispine) box girder bridges remain one of the most common types constructed. Current design practices in North America recommend few analytical methods for the design of such bridges in simply supported construction. However, the effects of continuous construction have not been dealt with fully. In designing a continuous bridge, it is important to determine the maximum negative and positive stresses, maximum reactions, and shears in the bridge subjected to various loadings. This paper presents an extensive parametric study using a finite-element model in which 60 continuous bridge prototypes of various geometries, each subjected to various loading conditions, are analyzed for the distribution of flexural stresses, deflection, shears, and reactions. The parameters considered in the study are span length, number of spread boxes, and number of lanes. Distribution factors for maximum flexural stresses, deflection, shears, and reactions, suitable for design, are deduced for AASHTO truck loading. Results from tests on five box girder bridge models verify the finite-element model. A design example is presented to illustrate the use of the deduced formulas for the distribution factors.
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References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 7 • Issue 3 • May 2002
Pages: 175 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © 2002 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 7, 2000
Accepted: Sep 11, 2001
Published online: Apr 15, 2002
Published in print: May 2002
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