Model Analysis of Curved Box-Beam Highway Bridge

Fabrication, preparation and instrumentation of a plastic model of a horizontally curved box-beam highway bridge is described. The model was extensively instrumented with rosette strain gages at three cross sections. Experimental data for three lane loading conditions was obtained. An approximate theoretical analysis of the model was obtained by using finite element method. A typical comparison between the experimental and theoretical stress distribution across the mid-span gage section for one of the loading conditions is shown graphically. The comparison shows a good agreement between the shapes but not the magnitudes of the stress plots obtained experimentally and theoretically. Experimental data at the three gage sections for each load condition is also given.