BRIDGE CAPACITY BY THE LOAD FACTOR METHOD. FINAL REPORT
Comparative analyses were performed on the load ratings of five common types of highway bridges in North Carolina using both the load factor method and the working stress method. The results confirmed that in some cases the working stress method may be exceedingly conservative in comparison with the load factor method. In one case, by the load factor method, increases of 100% for inventory rating and 39% for operating rating were obtained. In general, for longer span bridges with higher dead load moment, rating by the load factor method is far more advantageous. A comprehensive computer program was developed for rating by the load factor method and the program was validated by comparison with the rating values obtained from manual computations. A second computer program was also developed to facilitate the determination of a more realistic lateral load distribution factor based on the method adopted by the Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code.
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Corporate Authors:
North Carolina State University, Raleigh
Center for Transportation Engineering Studies, P.O. Box 7908
Raleigh, NC United States 27695North Carolina Department of Transportation
Division of Highways, P.O. Box 25201
Raleigh, NC United States 27611Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Zia, P
- Mulkey, B H
- Johnson, K J
- Arnall Jr, J R
- Publication Date: 1986-4
Media Info
- Pagination: 342 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Accuracy; Alternatives analysis; Bearing capacity; Design; Highway bridges; Load factor; Ratings; Stresses
- Uncontrolled Terms: Working stress design
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00462442
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/NC/86-001
- Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Feb 28 1987 12:00AM