Estimating Wave Loads on Bridge Decks

Hurricanes, such as Ivan and Katrina, impacting the northern gulf coast have caused damage to coastal bridges. The storm surge resulting from these hurricanes was large enough to allow waves to impact the bridge superstructure and remove the bridge sections from the pile caps which support them. Due to the widespread effects of coastal storms, which generally create governing design criteria for coastal bridges, this topic is of national and international interest. Since the occurrence of those storms, several organizations have created new methodologies for estimating wave forces. Two of the most widely accepted methods are the ones outlined by the Federal Highway Administration Hydraulic Engineering Circular 25 (HEC 25) and by AASHTO in the 2008 Guide Specifications for Bridges Vulnerable to Coastal Storms. Proper estimation of wave loads is essential when designing vertical and lateral restraints for bridge decks. This paper will evaluate the HEC 25 method using a new data set which has been published since the original development of these methods. This paper will also re-evaluate guidance for the empirical coefficients suggested for the HEC 25 method. Because of that method’s relative simplicity, the general equations outlined in HEC 25 are easier to use and less confusing than other methods. This effort is justified in light of the new data sets. An improved methodology was created by refining the guidance for estimating wave loads on bridge decks. This new methodology demonstrates a significant increase in the reliability of wave load estimates on a bridge superstructure during severe storm conditions. This guidance will allow engineers to more effectively choose the necessary coefficients, which will in turn help to more effectively estimate wave loads.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479117.016
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780784479117
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • James, Derek
  • Cleary, John
  • Douglass, Scott
• Conference:
  • Structures Congress 2015
  • Location: Portland Oregon, United States
  • Date: 2015-4-23 to 2015-4-25
• Publication Date: 2015-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Pagination: pp 183-193
• Monograph Title: Structures Congress 2015

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Bridge design; Coasts; Estimating; Ocean waves; Storm surges
• Uncontrolled Terms: Wave loading
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01561821
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780784479117
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Apr 27 2015 5:10PM