Full-Scale Test and Analysis of a Curved Steel-Box Girder Bridge
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 13, Issue 5
Abstract
Since the first edition of the AASHTO Guide Specifications for Horizontally Curved Steel Girder Highway Bridges was published in 1980, there have been two more editions including many revisions to the specifications. Some changes were based on valid research results and others were based on limited or uncertain research results and information. The current edition of the specifications contains provisions that may result in unreasonably conservative load capacity ratings. In this paper, the results of field tests and analyses conducted on the Veterans’ Memorial curved steel-box girder bridge are discussed. Test and analytical results show: (1) current AASHTO guide specifications regarding the first transverse stiffener spacing at the simple end support of a curved girder may be too conservative for bridge load capacity ratings; (2) current AASHTO guide specifications may greatly overestimate the dynamic loadings of curved box girder bridges with long span lengths; and (3) a plane grid finite-element model of about 20 elements per span in the longitudinal direction can be used to analyze curved multigirder bridges with external bracings located only over supports. The research results are instructive and applicable to bridge design and bridge load-rating activities.
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Acknowledgments
The writer would like to express his sincere appreciation to Mr. Marc Ansley, P.E., Mr. Garry Roufa, P.E., Mr. John Previte, P.E., and Dr. Hu, for their valuable comments and support received during the research. Gratitude is also extended to the FDOT Structures Research Center staff: Mr. Frank Cobb, Mr. Tony Johnston, Mr. Stephen Eudy, Mr. Paul Tighe, and Mr. David Allen for their hard work in the instrumentation, testing, data collection, and drawing some figures contained in this paper. The opinions and conclusions expressed in this paper are those of the writer and are not necessarily those of the Florida Department of Transportation.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 13 • Issue 5 • September 2008
Pages: 492 - 500
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 17, 2006
Accepted: Dec 10, 2007
Published online: Sep 1, 2008
Published in print: Sep 2008
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