Stress-Laminated Timber Decks Subjected to Eccentric Loads in the Ultimate Limit State
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 18, Issue 5
Abstract
Stress-laminated timber (SLT) bridge decks are generally designed using either linear hand calculation methods or linear finite-element models. Several studies have shown, however, that the behavior of SLT decks is nonlinear when loaded until failure. In this paper, several linear design methods are compared with one another and with an ultimate load test of a full-scale SLT deck subjected to an eccentric load. Some of the linear hand calculation methods show significant discrepancies in results, depending on the load position. There are also variations in the results from finite-element models, depending on the material properties assigned to the deck. All the design methods failed to predict the deflection of the tested deck when loaded to failure. A larger deflection was observed in the full-scale test than that predicted by the design methods. As a result, the linear design method could underestimate the bending stresses in the deck. Several hand calculation methods are also unable to calculate the transverse forces and moments necessary for design according to Eurocode 5.
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Acknowledgments
We thank all the partners in the “Competitive Bridges” project, which is mainly financed by VINNOVA (Swedish government agency for innovation systems), and the timber bridge manufacturers, Martinsons Träbroar and Moelven Töreboda.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 18 • Issue 5 • May 2013
Pages: 409 - 416
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 5, 2011
Accepted: Jan 18, 2012
Published online: Jan 20, 2012
Published in print: May 1, 2013
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