Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks on Skewed Steel Superstructure under Truck Wheel Loads
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 16, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper focuses on the behavior of skewed concrete bridge decks on steel superstructure subjected to truck wheel loads. It was initiated to meet the need for investigating the role of truck loads in observed skewed deck cracking, which may interest bridge owners and engineers. Finite-element analysis was performed for typical skewed concrete decks, verified using in situ deck strain measurement during load testing of a bridge skewed at 49.1°. The analysis results show that service truck loads induce low strains/stresses in the decks, unlikely to initiate concrete cracking alone. Nevertheless, repeated truck wheel load application may cause cracks to become wider, longer, and more visible. The local effect of wheel load significantly contributes to the total strain/stress response, and the global effect may be negligible or significant, depending on the location. The current design approach estimates the local effect but ignores the global effect. It therefore does not model the situation satisfactorily. In addition, total strain/stress effects due to truck load increase slightly because of skew angle.
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the Michigan Department of Transportation in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. This support is gratefully appreciated. A number of students of the Center for Advanced Bridge Engineering participated in various tasks of this study. They include Jason Dimaria, Dinesh Divaraj, Lixiang Yang, and Pang-jo Chun. Their able assistance is acknowledged with gratitude.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 16 • Issue 2 • March 2011
Pages: 219 - 225
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 15, 2010
Accepted: Apr 25, 2010
Published online: May 29, 2010
Published in print: Mar 1, 2011
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