You are here
Transverse Analysis and Field Measurements of Segmental Box Girder Bridges
| Title: | Transverse Analysis and Field Measurements of Segmental Box Girder Bridges. |
 507 views 213 downloads |
|---|---|---|
| Name(s): |
Kuhn, Dan, author Rambo-Roddenberry, Michelle, professor directing thesis Tawfiq, Kamal, committee member Mtenga, Primus, committee member Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, degree granting department Florida State University, degree granting institution |
|
| Type of Resource: | text | |
| Genre: | Text | |
| Issuance: | monographic | |
| Date Issued: | 2008 | |
| Publisher: | Florida State University | |
| Place of Publication: | Tallahassee, Florida | |
| Physical Form: |
computer online resource |
|
| Extent: | 1 online resource | |
| Language(s): | English | |
| Abstract/Description: | Parapets placed on bridge deck surfaces, commonly known as barriers, are purposely omitted from the structural analysis model for design or load rating. Barriers should not be considered primary structural members because they are designed to withstand the impact of a vehicular collision. After a forceful collision, a barrier would sustain some structural damage and would no longer support or strengthen the bridge deck. However, when completely intact, these secondary structural members do, significantly, absorb and distribute any applied load, thus acting as fully functional structural members. The amount that appurtenances, specifically parapets, contribute to deck strength is of interest to permitting agencies, such as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). For a concrete segmental box girder bridge, load ratings for oversized load permits are currently determined with a calculation that involves the transverse analysis of the bridge without factoring in the extra strength of fully intact appurtenances. Moreover, within the transverse analysis, the maximum moment generated from the live load is typically calculated from Homberg charts. These generalized influence surfaces were designed based on plate surface models and are conservative. When added to the standard "error on the side of caution" design methods, this moment estimation and the lack of consideration for the appurtenances create an overly conservative transverse load rating for the bridge. With 3D finite element bridge models, created using LUSAS, it is shown, qualitatively and quantitatively, how much of an effect the barrier has on the live load distribution for three concrete segmental box girder bridges located in the Florida Keys. Data obtained from these models is directly compared to measurements obtained from FDOT load tests on the actual bridges and also to predictions made from Homberg influence surfaces. Modifying the current method of load rating, for structurally sound bridges, with fully functional appurtenances should interest permitting agencies and would prove beneficial to those transporting oversized loads. | |
| Identifier: | FSU_migr_etd-2937 (IID) | |
| Submitted Note: | A Thesis submitted to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. | |
| Degree Awarded: | Summer Semester, 2008. | |
| Date of Defense: | July 7, 2008. | |
| Keywords: | Segmental Box Girder Bridge, Barriers, Live Load Distribution, Homberg, Bridge Load Rating Factors | |
| Bibliography Note: | Includes bibliographical references. | |
| Advisory Committee: | Michelle Rambo-Roddenberry, Professor Directing Thesis; Kamal Tawfiq, Committee Member; Primus Mtenga, Committee Member. | |
| Subject(s): |
Civil engineering Environmental engineering |
|
| Persistent Link to This Record: | http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2937 | |
| Owner Institution: | FSU |
Kuhn, D. (2008). Transverse Analysis and Field Measurements of Segmental Box Girder Bridges. Retrieved from http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2937
