INELASTICITY IN REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE DESIGN

A METHOD IS OUTLINED OF LIMIT DESIGN FOR CONTINUOUS BRIDGE GIRDERS WHICH PROVIDES FOR A SPECIFIED SAFETY FACTOR AGAINST COLLAPSE, AND ENSURES ELASTIC BEHAVIOR UNDER SERVICE CONDITIONS. THE USE OF THE METHOD IS DEMONSTRATED ON A REPRESENTATIVE FOUR-SPAN BRIDGE GIRDER AND RELATIVE ECONOMICS AND SAFETY FACTORS ARE ASSESSED. THE ROLE OF INELASTIC METHODS IN BRIDGE DESIGN IS DISCUSSED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT LOAD FACTORS OF 1.5 FOR DEAD LOAD, 2.0 FOR LIVE LOADS, AND A REDUCTION FACTOR OF .90 FOR CONSTRUCTION UNCERTAINTIES LEAD TO AN ULTIMATE STRENGTH COMPARABLE TO THAT PROVIDED FOR BY PRESENT AASHO WORKING STRESS SAFETY FACTORS. OPTIMUM LIMIT DESIGN LEADS TO A SAVING OF REINFORCING STEEL OF THE ORDER OF TEN PERCENT WITHOUT IMPAIRING THE STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS OF THE STRUCTURE.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proc, pp 116-138, 7 FIG, 2 TAB
• Authors:
  • Gerstle, K H
  • Cohn, M Z
• Conference:
  • Colo State Univ, Bridge Eng Conf
• Publication Date: 1967

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge design; Bridge superstructures; Bridges; Continuous structures; Girders; Inelastic stress; Live loads; Load factor; Reinforced concrete bridges; Reinforcing steel; Safety factors; Static loads; Structural design; Ultimate load design; Ultimate strength
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge spans; Inelastic action
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00208404
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 20 1994 12:00AM