Novel Method for an Optimised Calculation of the Cross-Sectional Distribution of Live Loads on Girder Bridge Decks
Author/s
Gaute-Alonso, Alvaro; Garcia-Sanchez, David; Uriszar-Aldaca, Iñigo Calderon; Lopez Castillo, ClaudioDate
2022Keywords
Cross-Sectional Load Distribution
Girder Bridge Decks
Small-Scale Bridge Test
Full-Scale Girder Bridge Deck Load Test
Optimised Matrix Method
Abstract
One of the main goals in the design of girder bridge deck systems is to determine the cross-sectional distribution of live loads across the different girders that make up the cross-section of the deck. Structural grillage models and current bridge design standards based on a Load Distribution Factor (LDF) provide oversized designs, as demonstrated in this paper. This research introduces a novel method that allows the cross-sectional distribution of live loads on girder bridge decks to be calculated by applying a matrix formulation that reduces the structural problem to 2 degrees of freedom for each girder: the deflection and the rotation of the deck-slab at the centre of the girder’s span. Subsequently, a parametric study is presented that analyses the structural response of 64 girder bridge decks to a total of 384 load states. In addition, the authors compare the outputs of the novel method with those obtained using traditional grillage calculation methods. Finally, the method is ...
Type
journal article