EVALUATION OF THE BEARING CAPACITY OF EXISTING BRIDGES

LA VALUTAZIONE DELLA CAPACITA PORTANTE DEI PONTI ESISTENTI

The damage caused by heavy vehicle traffic to roads and road structures is a serious problem in industrialised countries, more so in view of the increasing incidence of this type of traffic. Though interpreted in terms of standards, the evaluation of loads compatible with the bearing capacity of bridges, is usually a question of the engineers' judgement. It is pointed out that in addition to the variability of traffic composition, there are other factors which affect the bearing capacity of bridges: changes in bridge design standards; changes in the conception and analysis of bridges; changes in vehicle regulations; and deterioration of the structure itself. Regarding existing bridges the two main problems are the capacity of the structure to support traffic loads in accordance with existing regulations, and the capacity to support a certain number of exceptional loads. This article analyses the behaviour of existing bridges according to the above criteria. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Casa Editrice la fiaccola

  Via Carlo Ravizza 62
  Milano,   Italy 
• Authors:
  • Scaramuzzi, G
  • Giura, G
• Publication Date: 1979-10

Language

• Italian

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 863-874
• Serial:
  • Rivista della Strada
  • Volume: 48
  • Issue Number: 459
  • Publisher: Casa Editrice la fiaccola

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Bearing capacity; Bridge design; Bridges; Design standards; Highway bridges; Laws; Loads; Loss and damage; Pavements; Structural design; Traffic loads; Trucks; Trucks by weight; Weight
• Old TRIS Terms: Truck effects (Bridges); Truck laws & regulations
• ITRD Terms: 3085: Bearing capacity; 3455: Bridge; 1614: Damage; 5567: Load; 1236: Lorry; 2955: Pavement
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Freight Transportation; Highways; Law; Motor Carriers; Pavements; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00309874
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 26 1980 12:00AM