Simplified methods of bridge analysis for the third edition of OHBDC

Abstract

Research conducted since the publication of the second edition of the Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code (OHBDC) in 1983 has paved the way for further simplification of the simplified methods of bridge analysis specified by the code. The third edition of the OHBDC (1991) incorporates simplified methods, most of which have been made even more "user friendly" in the light of this research. This paper gives the details of these new methods of analysis along with their developmental background. It is shown that the low volume of traffic on bridges on lightly travelled roads can be accounted for conveniently through the simplified methods of analysis by incorporating in them the lower values of the modification factors for multipresence of vehicles specified in the OHBDC (1991). The paper also discusses those major pieces of contemporary research work in load distribution analysis, the end product of which was considered but could not be utilized in the OHBDC. Key words: analysis, bridge, load distribution, multi-beam bridges, multipresence of vehicles, slab-on-girder bridges, timber bridges.