OVERLOADING OF HIGHWAY BRIDGES: A PARAMETRIC STUDY

This report presents the results of a parametric study on the overloading response of right simple span beam-slab bridges with reinforced concrete deck and prestressed concrete I-beams. Nine bridges with span lengths of 40, 70 and 100 feet having 5, 7 and 8 beams are designed in accordance with current specifications. These bridges are subjected to 5 overload vehicles each, resulting in 45 case studies. Each bridge is loaded by the vehicles on predefined traffic lanes in order to produce the maximum flexural response at the midspan of the bridge superstructure. By using program BOVA (Bridge OVerload Analysis) the response of the bridges when subjected to the vehicles is determined. For various load levels the damage that the superstructure will sustain, and the maximum tensile and compressive stresses in the beam and slab concrete, are also tabulated. Examples and recommendations for the implementation of the findings for Overload Permit Issuance operations are included. The results of a pilot study on the effects of deck deterioration on the load carrying capacity of the bridges are also presented.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also PB-222 054.
• Corporate Authors:

  Lehigh University

  Fritz Engineering Laboratory
  Bethlehem, PA  United States  18015

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Materials, Testing and Research, 1118 State State
  Harrisburg, PA  United States  17112
• Authors:
  • Kostem, C N
• Publication Date: 1976-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 183 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beams; Concrete; Deterioration; Dynamic loads; Finite element method; Highway bridges; Loads; Slabs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Dynamic response
• Old TRIS Terms: Beams (Support)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168895
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FEL-378B.7, FHWA/PA/RD-71-12-7, Interim Report
• Files: NTIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 13 1978 12:00AM