IMPACT STUDIES ON A SMALL COMPOSITE GIRDER BRIDGE

Two impact studies on a small-span, composite girder highway bridge have given widely scattered impact fractions, with a maximum of 1.32 as compared with the AASHTO code value of 0.30 for this bridge. Field strains were used to measure maximum mid-span bending moments for 170 trucks in normal traffic, and these were compared with equivalent static values computed from axle weights measured by a weighbridge. Impact fractions varied from - 0.08 to + 1.32 for gross vehicle weights from 27 - 44 ton. Large impact values occurred for both light and heavy vehicles and were repeated in two independent series of tests. The scatter of the results suggests that impact is vehicle dependent, and that it may vary with suspension geometry. Possible causes of high impact are discussed. (Author/TRRL)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This report is also Australian Road Research Board Internal Report AIR 321-2.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Queensland

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Brisbane, Queensland  Australia  4072
• Authors:
  • O'Connor, C
  • Pritchard, R W
• Publication Date: 1984-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 30 p.
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: CE50

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Beams; Bending moments; Bridge superstructures; Bridges; Composite materials; Deflection; Engineering moments; Girder bridges; Girders; Gross vehicle weight; Heavy vehicles; Impact studies; Light vehicles; Loads; Measurement; Mechanical strain; Regression analysis; Strain gages; Suspension systems; Torque; Traffic; Trucks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge spans; Impact factor
• Old TRIS Terms: Composite girders; Strains
• ITRD Terms: 3067: Axle load; 3472: Beam; 3455: Bridge; 9005: Composite; 5586: Deflection; 9112: Impact study; 5567: Load; 1236: Lorry; 6136: Measurement; 5410: Moment (force); 6588: Regression analysis; 5562: Strain gauge; 1329: Suspension (veh); 755: Traffic
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Vehicles and Equipment; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389217
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM