Evaluation of the load capacity of existing bridge decks is a major concern for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Available funds must be expended in a rational strategy, which would allow for inspection, maintenance or rehabilitation. This paper presents the results of the study on the proposed higher truck loads and their economic impact to the state and to the industry. The impact of adapting such regulations on the existing Louisiana bridge decks is determined based on a deterministic load capacity evaluation as well as a reliability assessment. The target reliability level is derived from bridge deck structures designed to satisfy AASHTO standard design specifications and to satisfy safe and adequate performance levels. Fatigue analyses are performed using finite element modeling with detailed load capacity evaluations and reliability analyses on a representative sample of bridge decks to provide specific examples of expected changes in rating and safety levels.
Impact of Higher Truck Loads on Remaining Safe Life of Louisiana Bridge Decks
Ninth International Conference on Applications of Advanced Technology in Transportation (AATT) ; 2006 ; Chicago, Illinois, United States
2006-08-04
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Impact of Higher Truck Loads on Remaining Safe Life of Louisiana Bridge Decks
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2005
|NTIS | 1966
Service life estimation of concrete bridge decks
Springer Verlag | 2006
|Engineering Index Backfile | 1968
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