Develop Bridge Weigh-In-Motion Approach to Measure Live Loads on Texas Highways: Technical Report

This research study developed and quantitatively evaluated the concept of Bridge Weigh-In-Motion (BWIM) for future application on Texas highways. The primary objective of B-WIM systems is to instrument a bridge to obtain the axle information (i.e., weights, number, speed, and spacings) and weight information (i.e., axles and gross) of trucks that cross the structure. A secondary objective of B-WIM is to evaluate the bridge itself. The challenge of B-WIM is to accurately obtain this information through robust sensing technology and post-processing algorithms. B-WIM (compared to pavement WIM) is potentially less disruptive to traffic, more durable, more economical, safer to install, and able to produce accurate truck-traffic data and bridge assessment information. This project realized these advantages through the development of a B-WIM system that included extensive experimental testing followed by field validation on in-service bridges. The system was able to accurately identify truck axle and weight information. In addition, the project developed an approach to identify bridge parameters, such as distribution factors and composite action from B-WIM data. The final bridge evaluations included refined site-specific load ratings. The project team initially reviewed the relevant literature and the current state of the practice. Next, a preliminary B-WIM system was developed and tested on a testbed bridge. Three in-service bridges were selected, and B-WIM systems for each bridge were developed and deployed. Data were collected and utilized for live load analysis and validation through an independent portable pavement WIM system. Each corridor was evaluated based on the B-WIM results, and the bridges were evaluated with refined load ratings. Finally, guidelines for future B-WIM implementation were developed.

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• Summary URL:
  • https://static.tti.tamu.edu/tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-7038-PSR.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/hostedpdfs/tti/0-7038-p1.zip
• Record URL:
  • https://static.tti.tamu.edu/tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-7038-R1.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/73202
• Summary URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/73214
• Summary URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/73215
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office
  125 E 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Yarnold, Matthew
  • Shi, Shengyi
  • Barden, Claire
  • Hurlebaus, Stefan
  • Mander, John B
  • Walubita, Lubinda F
  • Middleton, Dan
• Publication Date: 2023-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 320p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge management systems; Highway bridges; Live loads; Load factor; Weigh in motion
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01907843
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-23/0-7038-R1, 0-7038-R1
• Contract Numbers: 0-7038
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 12 2024 10:31AM