TRUCK LOADS ON SELECTED BRIDGES IN THE DETROIT AREA

Several bridges in the Metropolitan Detroit Area show signs of serious deterioration. In particular, spalling concrete can be observed, which may cause accidents or other traffic problems. In order to correct this situation, a considerable number of bridges must be evaluated to determine actual strength and predict remaining life. This involves the measurement of truck weights and strains in bridge components. The recorded parameters include axle loads, axle spacings, vehicle speed, and vehicle position (right or left lane). The system is not visible to the bridge users, which results in unbiased traffic measurements. The strains are collected and processed using the rainflow algorithm, which is the accepted method for fatigue analysis. The results can be used to determine component-specific load effects, load distribution factors, and fatigue load spectra. The overloaded fatigue-prone components can then be identified and subjected to a more rigorous field inspection. This progress report summarizes measurements completed on two bridges in 1993 and presents the format for a future final report. Bridge weigh-in-motion (BWIM) data are presented for the bridge on Wyoming Road over I-94 in Detroit. Fatigue strain data are presented for the bridge on US-23 southbound over the Saline River in Monroe County.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Brown Building
  2355 Hayward Street
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2125

  Great Lakes Center for Truck and Transit Research

  201 UMTRI Building, 2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150

  Michigan Department of Transportation

  State Transportation Building, 425 West Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30050
  Lansing, MI  United States  48909
• Authors:
  • Nowak, A S
  • LAMAN, J A
• Publication Date: 1994-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 41 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Algorithms; Axle load force; Axles; Bridges; Fatigue (Mechanics); Inspection; Load transfer; Loads; Motor vehicles; Spacing; Spalling; Speed; Strain (Mechanics); Strain measurement; Traffic speed; Trucks; Weigh in motion
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge inspection; Fatigue analysis
• Geographic Terms: Detroit (Michigan)
• Old TRIS Terms: Axle spacings; Fatigue loading; Strains; Truck effects (Bridges)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Motor Carriers; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00668935
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: GLCTTR 58/93-01, UMCE 94-03
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 7 1994 12:00AM