Abstract
This research experimentally and numerically evaluated the reserve strength of girder bridges due to bridge rail load shedding. The investigation included: (1) performing non-destructive field testing on two steel girder bridges and one prestressed concrete girder bridge, (2) developing validated finite element numerical models, and (3) performing parametric numerical investigations using the validated numerical modeling approach. Measured data indicated that intact, integral, reinforced concrete rails participate in carrying live load. Research results culminated in recommendations to evaluate the reserve strength of girder bridges due to the participation of the rail, as well as recommendations for bridge inspectors for evaluating steel girder bridges subjected to vehicular collision.
Keywords
bridge railings, girder bridges, structural health monitoring, strain gauges, digital image correlation, finite element method
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2021/08
SPR Number
4311
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, IN
Date of Version
2021
DOI
10.5703/1288284317308
Recommended Citation
Wang, Y., Tumbeva, M. D., & Thrall, A. P. (2021). Evaluating reserve strength of girder bridges due to bridge rail load shedding (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2021/08). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317308