An evaluation of the stress ranges in two typical highway bridge spans under service loadings was made. The strains at selected points on the superstructure elements of the spans were recorded continuously for periods of four and five days under normal traffic conditions by means of an automatic computer controlled data acquisition system, and converted to stress on the basis of assumed moduli of elasticity. The weights, axle spacings, and lateral positions by lane of trucks crossing the instrumented spans during the test periods were also recorded, to the degree possible. The study proved the feasibility of utilizing the data acquisition system, which was developed for the FHWA, to obtain an indication of the service life to be expected of the test structures under today's truck traffic. The magnitudes of the stress ranges measured in the two simply supported test spans, a 76 foot steel beam composite span and a 60 foot prestressed concrete beam span, were considered acceptable, and it was concluded that both structures could safely accommodate an increase in traffic volume under current load limitations. A theoretical correlation between the recorded truck characteristics and the measured bridge response is also presented. (Author)


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    Title :

    A Loading History Study of Two Highway Bridges in Virginia


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1971


    Size :

    66 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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