Evaluation and rating of older non-composite steel girder bridges using field live load testing and nonlinear finite element analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmood Jaleel A. Albraheemi ◽  
William G. Davids ◽  
Andrew Schanck ◽  
Scott Tomlinson
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element ◽  
Live Load ◽  
Load Testing ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Steel Girder ◽  
Girder Bridges ◽  
Steel Girder Bridges ◽  
Live Load Testing

Nonlinear finite element analysis of tests of reinforced concrete slabs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. I. Zarate Garnica ◽  
Y. Yang ◽  
E. O. L. Lantsoght
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element ◽  
Concrete Slabs ◽  
Load Testing ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Concentrated Load ◽  
Reinforced Concrete Slabs

<p>In the Netherlands, many existing reinforced concrete slab bridges were built more than 50 years ago. Upon assessment with the new codes, a large number of this type of bridge rate insufficiently. Since many of these existing bridges present complex material properties and boundary conditions, proof load testing is considered an effective method to assess their capacity. However, to be able to safely apply proof load testing on slab bridges, verification in the laboratory is necessary. Therefore, experiments on reinforced concrete slabs of 5 m × 2,5 m × 0,3 m under a concentrated load with varying shear span to depth ratios are carried out in the laboratory of Delft University of Technology. Additionally, nonlinear finite element analysis is used to simulate the experiments following the guidelines of nonlinear finite element analysis published by the Dutch ministry of infrastructure and water management. The results from the finite element and experimental analyses are compared in terms of peak load, failure mode, and crack pattern. A good agreement between the experimental and numerical investigations is observed.</p>

Live-Load Girder Distribution Factors for Bridges Subjected to Wide Trucks

2000 ◽  
Vol 1696 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami W. Tabsh ◽  
Muna Tabatabai
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
The United States ◽  
Live Load ◽  
Wheel Load ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Load Effect ◽  
Design Specifications ◽  
Girder Bridges ◽  
Girder Distribution Factors ◽  
Modification Factor

An important problem facing engineers and officials in the United States is the constraint imposed on transportation due to limitations of bridges. These limitations typically constrain vehicles to minimum heights and widths, to minimum and maximum lengths, and to a maximum allowable weight. However, with current demands of society and industry, there are times when a truck must carry a load that exceeds the size and weight of the legal limit. In this situation, the trucking company requests from the state departments of transportation an overload permit. For a truck with a wheel gauge larger than 1.8 m (6 ft), the process of issuing a permit for an overload truck requires a tremendous amount of engineering efforts. This is because the wheel load girder distribution factors (GDFs) in the design specifications cannot be used to estimate the live-load effect in the girders. In some cases, an expensive and time-consuming finite element analysis may be needed to check the safety of the structure. In this study, the finite element method is used to develop a modification factor for the GDF in AASHTO’s LRFD Bridge Design Specifications to account for oversized trucks with a wheel gauge larger than 1.8 m. To develop this factor, nine bridges were considered with various numbers of girders, span lengths, girder spacings, and deck slab thicknesses. The results indicated that use of the proposed modification factor with the GDF in the design specifications can help increase the allowable load on slab-on-girder bridges.

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