HIGHWAY BRIDGE LIVE LOADS FOR LIMIT STATES DESIGN

This thesis discusses the development of probabilistic analysis of structures and the philosophy behind the limit states design (lsd) criteria. The classical reliability approach and the first order second moment (fosm) approximation are discussed in relation to highway bridges. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of load models within the lsd framework. The most important loading for highway bridges, that due to the traffic, has been the load about which least is known. Recently developed models for long span bridges, and for short to medium span bridges have been analysed, and deficiencies discussed. Data available on the Australian truck population has been analysed to provide a foundation for a traffic live load model. Distributions of gross vehicle mass, vehicle dimensions, and axle loads have been derived for both legally loaded and overloaded trucks, to produce a statistical model of the truck population. Presence of trucks on the bridge has been determined by the application of a simple two speed steady state traffic flow model. The model has been checked against the results obtained from an instrumented bridge, and it is concluded that the model appropriately predicts the bridge responses. The thesis was presented to the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Queensland in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Queensland

  St Lucia
  Brisbane, Queensland 4067,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • Brameld, G H
• Publication Date: 1986

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 293 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge design; Bridges; Highway bridges; Live loads; Mathematical models; Probability; Structural analysis; Structural design; Trucks; Ultimate load design; Vehicle size; Vehicle weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Models; Probabilistic analysis
• ITRD Terms: 1225: Articulated vehicle; 3067: Axle load; 3455: Bridge; 9011: Design (overall design); 6572: Distribution (stat); 1527: Excess load (veh); 5520: Failure; 6452: Limit; 5567: Load; 1236: Lorry; 6473: Mathematical model; 6534: Probability; 9103: Simulation; 8597: Thesis; 755: Traffic; 671: Traffic flow
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Highways; Motor Carriers;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00479989
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 31 1989 12:00AM