Review of HL-93 Bridge Traffic Load Model Using an Extensive WIM Database
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 20, Issue 10
Abstract
HL-93, the current bridge traffic load model used in the United States is examined here. Weigh-in-motion (WIM) data from 17 sites in 16 states containing 74 million truck records are used to assess the level of consistency in the characteristic load effects (LEs) implied by the HL-93 model. The LEs of positive and negative bending moments and shear force are considered on single- and two-lane same-direction slab and girder bridges with a range of spans. It is found that the ratio of WIM-implied LE to HL-93 LE varies considerably from one LE to another. An alternative model is proposed that achieves improvements in consistency in this ratio for the LEs examined, especially for the single-lane case. The proposed model consists of a uniformly distributed load whose intensity varies with bridge length.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the FHWA’s Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program for access to an extensive WIM database and the Irish National Roads Authority for financial support.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 20 • Issue 10 • October 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 6, 2014
Accepted: Oct 14, 2014
Published online: Nov 7, 2014
Published in print: Oct 1, 2015
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