Investigation of variables affecting beam-slab bridge load capacity

The ability to predict the load-carrying capacity of beam-slab bridges is of vital interest to researchers, bridge design engineers, maintenance engineers, public servants, and the general public. Often laboratory tests or full scale bridge tests fail to verify or substantiate the load carrying capacity predicted by conventional engineering analysis.

The purpose of this research was to identify and investigate variables having a major influence on bridge load carrying capacity which would not normally be considered in conventional analysis techniques.

The ability to properly distribute applied loads to the primary structural members is of fundamental importance. Current design specifications and analysis techniques result in overly conservative estimates of load distribution to individual components. A Guyon-Massonet method has been developed to allow a practicing bridge engineer to more accurately distribute applied loads to the individual components of a beam-slab bridge system and thusly improve the quality of structural analysis to develop better correlation with test results.