Load distribution in continuous composite bridges

Abstract

The influence of transverse diaphragms on the load distribution in composite bridges has been minimized in current design codes. Tests have shown that when diaphragms having an I-section are rigidly connected to the longitudinal girders, a rigid gridwork is formed; this gridwork in composite action with the concrete deck distributes the wheel loads on the bridge in an orthotropic manner. In this paper, the influences of the number of diaphragms, aspect ratio, skew, and cracking of the concrete deck on the transverse load distribution in continuous composite bridges are examined. The theoretical results are verified and substantiated by tests on two 1/8-scale bridge models. The results indicate that such diaphragms, rigidly connected to longitudinal girders, significantly enhance the transverse load distribution, and thus a reduction in the design load for the girders results; the degree of this enhancement increases with increase in the width as well as the skew angle of the bridge. Furthermore, transverse cracking of the concrete deck at the intermediate support(s) does not appear to influence significantly the transverse distribution of the design parameters.