Title page for ETD etd-07142008-192950

Type of Document

Thesis

Author

Stricker, Tal

Author's Email Address

tal_stricker@hotmail.com

URN

etd-07142008-192950

Title

Bulb-T Girder Bridge Barrier Effect on Live Load Distribution

Degree

Master of Science

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Michelle Rambo-Roddenberry	Committee Chair
Kamal Tawfiq	Committee Member
Lisa Spainhour	Committee Member

Keywords

live load distribution
bridge
bulb-t girder
load test
load distribution factor

Date of Defense

2008-05-20

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

Bulb-T girder bridges are composed of precast, prestressed concrete beams with a reinforced concrete slab. Typically, the slab extends transversely beyond the exterior beam, and there is a traffic barrier on the edge. The bridges are designed for dead and live loads and prestressing effects. For the live loads, the transverse distribution of moment and shear load effects to interior and exterior girders is determined by using equations in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Design Specifications. These equations give the designer a factor, which is then multiplied by the moment or shear load effect determined by a line analysis. The equations assume that barriers are not present. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Structures Research Lab has made field measurements on a Bulb-T bridge, both before and after the barriers were placed, due to a truck loaded with blocks. For this project, this data was analyzed to determine the barrier’s effect on the live load distribution. The results of this project may be used to determine if load ratings can be improved by consideration of the barrier effect, which can be done as a Posting Avoidance (Exception) technique.

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