Jointless and Smoother Bridges: Behavior and Design of Piles

This report is the first of a two-volume final report presenting the findings of the research work that was undertaken to evaluate the fatigue behavior of steel highway bridges on the extra heavy weight truck corridor in Northwest Indiana. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the type and magnitude of the loads that travel along the corridor and then assess the effect of those loads on the fatigue strength of the steel bridge structures on the corridor. This volume presents the results of the experimental field study conducted to evaluate the load and load effects on one steel bridge structure on the corridor. A weigh-in-motion (WIM) system was installed near the bridge structure to evaluate the loads that would cross over the bridge being monitored. Strain values were monitored on two spans of the ten-span continuous bridge being evaluated. Comparisons were then made between strain measurements in particular girders and strain values predicted using the measured truck axle weights. The WIM data indicated that 15% of the Class 9 trucks and 26% of the Class 13 trucks travel heavier than their respective legal limits. Extreme weights of more then 200,000 lbs were observed. In spite of the heavy truck loads being carried, it was found that less than 1 percent of the trucks induce a strain range that exceeds the variable amplitude fatigue limit of the fatigue critical details in the structure being monitored. Lastly, it was found that three-dimensional analytical models provide the best agreement between predicted and measured strain values in the bridge.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.in.gov/dot/div/contracts/standards/dm/Integral%20Abutment%20Research/Jointless%20and%20Smoother%20Bridges.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Purdue University/Indiana Department of Transportation JHRP

  Purdue University, School of Civil Engineering
  West Lafayette, IN  United States  47907-1284

  Indiana Department of Transportation

  100 N Senate Avenue
  Indianapolis, IN  United States  46204

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Frosch, Robert J
  • Chovichien, Voraniti
  • Durbin, Katrinna
  • Fedroff, David
• Publication Date: 2006-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 534p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge abutments; Bridge design; Bridge members; Bridge substructures; Bridges; Expansion joints; Jointless bridges; Pile foundations; Support piles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Integral abutments; Soil pile interaction
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01104296
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/IN/JTRP-2004/24
• Contract Numbers: SPR-2393
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 17 2008 9:23AM