BRIDGE TRAFFIC LOADS - ARE WE OVERDESIGNING?

The development is described of techniques to determine the actual loading to be expected on a long span bridge. Three points which emerged from the studies were as follows: (1) maximum traffic loading on long lengths of bridge only occurs when the traffic is backed up bumper to bumpber. For this reason no impact allowance need be added. (2) As expected, the loading drops off, sharply at first, as the loaded length is increased. (3) When one lane has its maximum loading, the loading in adjacent and other lanes is significantly less. This is a marked difference from the C.S.A. S6 method of reducing the load on all lanes uniformly. The study considered two boundary conditions (one for very short lengths and one for very long lengths) and two different techniques-the simulation approach using the random scatter capability of a computer, and the analytical approach using statistical techniques to predict the loadings to be expected with a certain probability or return period.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This report was also presented at the Annual Conference Proceedings Calgary, 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  Buckland and Taylor Limited

  1256 West Pendar Street
  Vancouver, BC  Canada 
• Authors:
  • Buckland, P G
  • Navin, FPD
  • Zidek, J V
• Publication Date: 1975-9

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 30 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Boundary value problems; Bridge design; Bridges; Long span bridges; Simulation; Statistical analysis; Structural design; Traffic loads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Boundary conditions
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Freight Transportation; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00127503
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 14 1977 12:00AM