Steel Bridge Load Rating Impacts Owing to Autonomous Truck Platoons

2020 ◽  
Vol 2674 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Rita Tohme ◽  
Matthew Yarnold
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Steel Bridge ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Vehicle Communication ◽  
Girder Bridges ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Steel Girder Bridges ◽  
Load Ratings ◽  
Existing Bridges

Autonomous truck platoons are two or more trucks driving together as a single unit through the use of vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology. These platoons can automatically accelerate or brake together, allowing them to travel at closer distances. With the world moving towards a more environment-friendly approach to everyday decisions, it is not a surprise that the concept of truck platooning is gaining momentum, as it reduces CO2 emissions by lowering fuel consumption. However, studies need to be performed to confirm that existing bridges will be able to adequately support truck platoons. The scope of this research is to study the effects of truck platooning on steel girder bridges in the United States (US). A multi-dimensional parametric study was conducted, which evaluated a variety of bridge span configurations and span lengths. Load ratings (using three different methodologies) were calculated for each of these structures for a range of truck platoons (both the number of trucks within a platoon and spacing between trucks). For comparison, the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design and legal load ratings were also calculated for each bridge and were used to quantify the adequacy of current bridges to carry truck platoons. The study was able to identify the potentially inadequate existing bridges based on the original design methodology, configuration, and span length. This information is intended to be valuable to bridge owners as an initial screening process along corridors that will be subjected to regular truck platoon traffic.

scholarly journals Investigation of Traffic Loading Effects for Different Codes on Medium- and Small-Span Girder Bridges in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Qingfei Gao ◽  
Biao Wu ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Kemeng Cui ◽  
Chuang Xu
Keyword(s):  
Bridge Engineering ◽  
Traffic Load ◽  
Bending Moments ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Traffic Loading ◽  
Simply Supported ◽  
Girder Bridges ◽  
Loading Effects ◽  
Existing Bridges ◽  
Structure Evaluation

With increasing traffic volume, the traffic load grade given by design codes has gradually increased. For new bridges, there is no problem, and the traffic load can be met through the requirements of the new code. However, for existing bridges, there is a lack of uniform standards on whether they can continue to be used. It is not clear whether these bridges will be judged according to the new code or the original design code. The traffic loading effects of different codes on medium- and small-span girder bridges in China are investigated in this study. Three codes are introduced: JTJ 021-89, JTG D60-2004, and JTG D60-2015. Simply supported girder bridges and continuous girder bridges are discussed. The traffic loading effects calculated based on JTG D60-2015 are significantly larger than those calculated based on JTJ 021-89. For simply supported girder bridges, most of the differences range from 20% to 40%, and the maximum value is almost larger than 60%. For continuous girder bridges, most of the differences in the positive bending moments are concentrated in the 20%∼40% range, while the differences in the negative bending moments range from 10% to 20%. Therefore, the differences in traffic loading effects calculated based on various codes cannot be ignored in actual bridge engineering. The conclusion in this study can provide a basis for bridge structure evaluation and life prediction.

Comprehensive Bridge Scour Evaluation Methodology

2000 ◽  
Vol 1696 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Lagasse ◽  
E. V. Richardson ◽  
L. W. Zevenbergen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Highway Bridges ◽  
The United States ◽  
Annotated Bibliography ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Bridge Scour ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Existing Bridges ◽  
State Highway Agencies ◽  
Stream Instability

In the United States, bridge scour technology is discussed primarily in three FHWA publications: Hydraulic Engineering Circular (HEC) 18: Evaluating Scour at Bridges; HEC-2: Stream Stability at Highway Structures; and HEC-23: Bridge Scour and Stream Instability Countermeasures. Together, these documents provide guidance to state highway agencies that is necessary for completing comprehensive scour and stream instability evaluations for the design of new bridges and for repairing existing bridges. Experience has shown that the relationships among the three documents are not always readily apparent, and some scour evaluations have relied primarily on HEC-18. A comprehensive flowchart that illustrates the interrelationship among the three FHWA scour-related documents has been developed. In addition, in 1998, FHWA, TRB, and AASHTO sponsored a scanning review of European practice for bridge scour and stream instability countermeasures. In 1999, ASCE published a compendium of papers on stream stability and scour at highway bridges, and FHWA prepared an annotated bibliography to support revisions to the three HECs. It is anticipated that the flow-chart and the substantial information from the scanning review, the compendium, and the annotated bibliography will be included in the next revisions to HEC-18, HEC-20, and HEC-23. On the basis of information from these sources, a comprehensive approach to bridge scour and stream instability evaluations is outlined, and an overview of planned revisions to the three FHWA HECs is provided.

Truck Platooning to Minimize Load-Induced Fatigue in Steel Girder Bridges

2020 ◽  
pp. 036119812097365
Author(s):  
Thales Couto Braguim ◽  
Peng Lou ◽  
Hani Nassif
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Steel Girder ◽  
Girder Bridges ◽  
Remaining Service Life ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Steel Girder Bridges ◽  
Number Of Cycles ◽  
Load And Resistance Factor ◽  
Rainflow Counting

Truck platooning has been demonstrated to possess several advantages in relation to energy savings. To implement this technology in the future, a better understanding of the effects of truck platooning on bridges is needed in relation to safety, serviceability, and remaining service life. This research aims at investigating the effects of truck platooning on the fatigue of steel girder bridges. Different types of platoons are simulated in line girder analysis for simple spans and two-equal continuous spans bridges. Then the rainflow counting method is applied to obtain the stress ranges and cycles. Miner’s rule is used to quantify the fatigue damage. The fatigue damage of different platoons is normalized by American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials Load and Resistance Factor Design Fatigue Load for comparison. The effects of the number of trucks and gap distances of truck platoons are further investigated. In some cases, truck platooning helps decrease the fatigue damage since, although truck platooning brings higher load effects, it also decreases the number of cycles. For platoons with different truck wheelbases, there are specific span to wheelbase ratios, beyond which fatigue damage decreases as gap distance increases. In addition, depending on the platoon configurations, there are ranges of span lengths where it is more beneficial to travel as truck platoons rather than traveling individually in relation to fatigue damage.

scholarly journals Significance of Fatigue Damage from Overload Trucks on Bridge Load Rating

2018 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 10005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bora Jang ◽  
Jamshid Mohammadi
Keyword(s):  
Service Life ◽  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
The United States ◽  
Load Rating ◽  
Steel Girder ◽  
Girder Bridges ◽  
Steel Girder Bridges ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
Truck Load ◽  
The Impact

Overload trucks constitute a major portion of truck load populations on highways. Specific to bridges, the increase in the frequency of overloads may trigger shortening of service life of critical components because of fatigue damage, considering the fact that fatigue damage accelerates at higher loads. This is especially important to older bridges that have been designed for loads lower than the standard for current highway bridge design in the United States. As the number of requests for special permits to use bridges by overload trucks increases, the accumulated damage may substantially reduce the service life of bridges resulting in costly repair and replacements. In this paper, the significance of overloads in causing fatigue damage to bridges is discussed. Samples of truck load data have been compiled and used to determine the contribution of overloads to fatigue damage for steel girder bridges made up of welded cover plates. The paper discusses using the expected fatigue life expended (FLE) as an index to determine the impact of overloads on bridge fatigue damage. The FLE is then determined to be an important factor that can be used to modify bridge rating equations as a way of controlling the number of overload permits for a given bridge.

Seismic Performance Research of Steel Girder Bridge with Isolation Bearings and Restrainer Cables

2013 ◽  
Vol 353-356 ◽  
pp. 2000-2003
Author(s):  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Cui Ping Pang ◽  
Min Yuan ◽  
Wan Wen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Seismic Isolation ◽  
Steel Girder ◽  
Girder Bridges ◽  
Steel Girder Bridges ◽  
Lead Rubber Bearings ◽  
Steel Girder Bridge ◽  
Girder Bridge ◽  
Rubber Bearings ◽  
Existing Bridges

The seismic performance of multi-span simply supported steel-girder bridges with sliding and high rocker steel bearings is poor during earthquakes. During the past 20 years, seismic isolation has emerged as one of the most promising strategy for improving the seismic performance of existing bridges. In this study elastomeric bearings, lead-rubber bearings, and cable restrainers are attempted to modify the seismic response of bridges, and theirs effects are analyzed and compared.

Steel Bridge Testing in Alabama

1997 ◽  
Vol 1594 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Conner ◽  
J. M. Stallings ◽  
T. L. McDuffie ◽  
J. R. Campbell ◽  
R. Y. Fulton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Highway Bridges ◽  
Load Test ◽  
Steel Bridge ◽  
Load Testing ◽  
Steel Girder ◽  
Girder Bridges ◽  
Bridge Testing ◽  
Legal Limits ◽  
Steel Girder Bridges ◽  
Load Tests

Interest in nondestructive testing of highway bridges has grown dramatically in recent years. Much of the interest results from the large number of older bridges on state inventories that have posted load limits below normal legal limits. The Alabama Department of Transportation started using load testing to rate highway bridges in 1990 and has since made a significant investment in equipment and personnel in developing the Bridge Rating and Load Test Section. The section provides the capability for many special tests and investigations as well as standard tests for load rating. Insights gained from 46 load tests for bridge ratings are presented to inform other states that are considering the development of load testing capabilities. The procedures used to test and rate steel girder bridges are described.

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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