Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Live-Load Distribution Factors for Double Tee Bridges
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 33, Issue 1
Abstract
In this study, the Icy Springs Bridge, located in Coalville, Utah, was load-tested to quantify the effects of significant deterioration on its live-load behavior. Visual inspection and load testing of this double tee structure indicated a severely deteriorated deck, undamaged girder stems, and partially effective transverse connections at the longitudinal joints. At the time of testing, the bridge was load-posted at 35.6 kN (total gross vehicle weight) with a maximum speed of due to conservative rating assumptions. After a detailed analysis, a truck that was 7.5 times the posted weight was used for a load test. A shell-based finite-element model was created that used variable spring elements to model the deteriorated flange-to-flange connections, which accurately replicated the behavior of the bridge from the load test and validated the modeling technique. The model was used to perform a parametric study, using idealized flange-to-flange connections, to compare the calculated girder distribution factors to the finite-element model–estimated girder distribution factors, and poor agreement was found ( and 0.237 for moment and shear, respectively). A multivariable linear regression analysis was used to develop moment and shear girder distribution factor equations for double tee bridges similar to the one investigated in this study, with a much better correlation of and 0.83 for moment and shear, respectively.
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Acknowledgments
This publication was partially supported by a subcontract from Rutgers University, Center for Advanced Infrastructure & Transportation, under DTFH61-08-C-00005 from the U.S. Department of Transportation—Federal Highway Administration (USDOT-FHWA). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rutgers University or of the USDOT-FHWA. Several undergraduate and graduate student volunteers helped in collecting the load testing data, including Chris Pettigrew, Edyson Rojas, Nick Foust, Brandon Asay, and McKell Bowen. Ken Jewkes was also instrumental in performing the experimental work. Special thanks to George Bennett, Coalville resident, for additional city and county information for the Icy Springs Bridge. Eric Hendriksen of Desert Deep Foundations is thanked for coordinating load testing with construction operations.
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Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 33 • Issue 1 • February 2019
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 19, 2018
Accepted: Aug 14, 2018
Published online: Dec 10, 2018
Published in print: Feb 1, 2019
Discussion open until: May 10, 2019
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