LOAD RATING OF SHORT-SPAN HIGHWAY BRIDGES
Results of field tests on five short-span bridges -- four reinforced concrete and one concrete-encased steel -- illustrate the difficulties in using service-load response for estimating load capacity of highway bridges. Tension steel strain and deflection induced in the five structures were measured, when subjected to moderate truck loads (about 90 percent of HS-20). Findings include: 1) induced strain and deflection are much lower than expected from analytical methods, 2) concrete deterioration does not cause a noticeable change in measured structural response, and 3) test data cannot be extrapolated to inventory and operating load levels with confidence. In a secondary series of tests, concrete strength estimates from ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements were found to be unreliable. (FHWA)
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Supplemental Notes:
- Study title: Field Testing as an Aid to Load Rating Bridges.
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Corporate Authors:
New York State Department of Transportation
Engineering Research and Development Bureau, 1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY United States 12232Federal Highway Administration
Office of Research, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Kissane, R J
- Beal, D B
- Sanford, J A
- Publication Date: 1980-5
Media Info
- Pagination: 40 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bearing capacity; Bridge members; Concrete; Concrete bridges; Deflection; Deterioration; Length; Loads; Measurement; Ratings; Reinforced concrete; Strain (Mechanics); Strength of materials; Trucks
- Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge spans; Deteriorated concrete
- Old TRIS Terms: Strains
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Motor Carriers; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00319782
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-NY-RR-79,, FCP 45K4-022,, Interim Report
- Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Mar 12 2003 12:00AM