Evaluation of Ice Loads on Bridge Sub-Structures in South Dakota

A research study was conducted by South Dakota State University in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) to assess applicability of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design calculations for the dynamic ice loads on bridge structures in South Dakota. Ice loads were measured at two sites for two consecutive winters (2013 and 2014) using a monitoring system designed and tested in the J. Lohr Structures Lab at South Dakota State University (SDSU). Sites were selected based on previous ice thickness and strength measurements, water level heights during spring thaw, feasibility of installation, and discussion with SDDOT personnel. The recorded data were analyzed using statistical approaches to develop a probabilistic model of ice impact load level for each site. Distribution of the maximum ice load for both sites over a 75-year period was estimated. Based on these extreme ice load statistics, reliability indices were determined for the AASHTO formula ice load values. The reliability index showed that current load calculations adopted by SDDOT ensure a reasonably high reliability index for both sites based on the two years of data collected during the study. A recommendation was made regarding the calculation of small-stream ice load in South Dakota using the AASHTO formula. Additional data collection was also recommended for future studies.

  • Record URL:
  • Summary URL:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Colorado School of Mines

    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
    Golden, CO  United States 

    South Dakota State University, Brookings

    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
    Brookings, SD  United States  57007

    South Dakota Department of Transportation

    700 East Broadway Avenue
    Pierre, SD  United States  57501

    Mountain-Plains Consortium

    North Dakota State University
    Fargo, ND  United States  58108

    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

    University Transportation Centers Program
    Department of Transportation
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Pei, Shiling
    • Wehbe, Nadim I
    • Ahrenstorff, Brittney
  • Publication Date: 2017-10

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 60p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01653311
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: MPC 17-335
  • Files: UTC, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Dec 8 2017 9:46AM