DOI

10.5703/1288284317308

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.

Report Number

FHWA/IN/JTRP-2021/08

Keywords

bridge railings, girder bridges, structural health monitoring, strain gauges, digital image correlation, finite element method

SPR Number

4311

Performing Organization

Joint Transportation Research Program

Publisher Place

West Lafayette, IN

Date of this Version

2021

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