Practical Approach for Estimating Distribution Factor for Load Rating: Demonstration on Reinforced Concrete T-Beam Bridges

    Authors

    F. N. Catbas; H. B. Gokce;M. Gul

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Bridge Eng.

    Keywords

    Bridge; FEM; Beam analysis; Distribution factor; Dynamic test; Impact; test; T-beam; Load rating; GIRDER BRIDGE; Engineering, Civil

    Abstract

    This paper presents a new, practical methodology with simple analysis methods coupled with rapid experimental tests to identify distribution factors (DFs) for existing highway bridges. This approach is demonstrated on a reinforced concrete T-beam bridge population. It is shown that the moment DFs of single-span T-beam bridges can be determined by using skew angle, modal frequency, and the flexibility coefficient, where the frequency and the flexibility coefficient can be identified by means of rapid impact testing that can be conducted using an impactor, such as a falling weight deflectometer (FWD). This approach is first demonstrated using finite-element model (FEM) simulations. Moment approximation to FEM results with the new approach is 6%, whereas this approximation is on the order of 30% compared with the conventional beamline analysis given in the AASHTO code. This new approach is then demonstrated by using experimental data from four real-life bridges for the computation of moment values as well as the load ratings. It is shown that this new approach can conservatively approximate live load increases for the four existing bridges. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0000284. (C) 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Bridge Engineering

    Volume

    17

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2012

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    652

    Last Page

    661

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000312660700011

    ISSN

    1084-0702

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