LOADING CODE

Contents Summary
2.1

General ...........................................................................................................1

2.2

Dead Loads ....................................................................................................1

2.3

Traffic Loads..................................................................................................1

2.4

Not used .........................................................................................................6

2.5

Not used .........................................................................................................6

2.6

Collision Loads on Bridge Supports...........................................................6

2.7

Kerb and Barrier Design Loadings ..............................................................6

2.8

Wind Loads ....................................................................................................6

2.9

Thermal Effects .............................................................................................6

2.10

Forces Due to Water .....................................................................................6

2.11

Earth Pressure...............................................................................................6

2.12

Friction Forces ..............................................................................................6

2.13

Earthquake Forces ........................................................................................6

2.14

Shrinkage, Creep and Prestress Effects .....................................................6

2.15

Differential Movement of Supports .............................................................6

2.16

Construction Forces and Effects.................................................................6

2.17

Load Combinations.......................................................................................6

2.18

Dynamic Behaviour.......................................................................................6

2.19

Road Signs & Lighting Structures...............................................................6

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Loading Code Contents Details

2.1

General ...........................................................................................................1

2.2

Dead Loads ....................................................................................................1

2.3

Traffic Loads..................................................................................................1
2.3.1
General...............................................................................................1
2.3.2
W80 Wheel Loading...........................................................................2
2.3.3
A160 Axle Loading .............................................................................2
2.3.4
M1600 Moving Traffic Loading ...........................................................2
2.3.5
S1600 Stationary Traffic Loading .......................................................2
2.3.6
Heavy Load Platforms ........................................................................2
2.3.7
Number of Lanes for Design and Lateral Position of Loads...............3
2.3.8
Accompanying Lane Factors for Multiple Lane Bridges .....................3
2.3.9
Centrifugal Forces ..............................................................................3
2.3.10 Braking Forces ...................................................................................4
2.3.11 Dynamic Load Allowance (DLA) .........................................................4
2.3.11.1 Magnitude of the Dynamic Load Allowance .............................4
2.3.11.2 Application of the Dynamic Load Allowance ............................4
2.3.12 Fatigue Loading..................................................................................5
2.3.13 Pedestrian Loading.............................................................................5
2.3.14 Tramway and Railway Loading...........................................................5
2.3.15 Load Factors and Combinations of Traffic Loadings..........................5
2.3.16 Minimum Lateral Force.......................................................................5

2.4

Not used .........................................................................................................6

2.5

Not used .........................................................................................................6

2.6

Collision Loads on Bridge Supports...........................................................6

2.7

Kerb and Barrier Design Loadings ..............................................................6

2.8

Wind Loads ....................................................................................................6

2.9

Thermal Effects .............................................................................................6

2.10

Forces Due to Water .....................................................................................6

2.11

Earth Pressure...............................................................................................6

2.12

Friction Forces ..............................................................................................6

2.13

Earthquake Forces ........................................................................................6

2.14

Shrinkage, Creep and Prestress Effects .....................................................6

2.15

Differential Movement of Supports .............................................................6

2.16

Construction Forces and Effects.................................................................6

2.17

Load Combinations.......................................................................................6

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2.18

Dynamic Behaviour.......................................................................................6

2.19

Road Signs & Lighting Structures...............................................................6

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Design Loads

2.1 General
Structures shall be proportioned for the design
loads, forces and effects when they exist as set
out in Articles 2.2 to 2.16.
If the Authority approves, the design engineer may
vary any of the loads set out in this section on the
basis
of
engineering
measurement
and
calculations, provided the loads comply with the
general principles of design as set out in
Section 1.

Where required by design conditions, the

construction methods and sequence or any other
specific limitations shall be indicated on the bridge
drawings.

2.2 Dead Loads

no change required

2.3 Traffic Loads

2.3.1

The design loads and forces shall be considered

as acting in combinations as set out in Article
2.17.
The design engineer shall consider each individual
bridge to assess whether any other loads, forces
or effects are applicable to that particular design.
The magnitude of these additional forces or
effects and their combination with other loads shall
be consistent with the principles set out in Section
1.
On the front sheet of the bridge drawings, the
following details relating to design loads must be
shown where relevant:
the edition of the Code used
any significant variation to the minimum
design loads set out in this Section
traffic load (W80, A160, M1600, S1600 The
abbreviation MS1600 implies that the bridge
has been designed to resist the W80, A160,
M1600 and S1600 loads)
collision load on piers where applicable
design wind speeds
flood data (design velocities, levels, debris
etc)
earthquake zone
differential
settlements
and
mining
subsidence effects allowed for in design
foundation data where not
shown
elsewhere.

General

Traffic loading is the loading resulting from the

passage of vehicles (either singly or in groups) or
pedestrians. The magnitude, direction and
positioning of loads specified in this Code produce
effects in structures that approximate the effects
of vehicles or groups of vehicles. The load models
are not intended to be the same as actual
vehicles.
All road bridges shall be designed to resist the
traffic loads specified in this Code which
approximate the effects induced by moving traffic,
stationary queues of traffic, accelerating or
decelerating traffic and pedestrian traffic. All road
bridges shall be designed for the most adverse
effects induced by the following loading elements,
combinations of these elements and their
corresponding load factors:
W80 Wheel Load
A160 Axle Load
M1600 Moving Traffic Load
S1600 Stationary Traffic Load
Dynamic Load Allowance (DLA)
Number and position of traffic lanes
Accompanying Load Factors (ALF)
Centrifugal Forces (FC)
Braking Forces (FBS, FBM)
Fatigue Loading
Pedestrian Loading

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2
2.3.2

AUSTROADS Bridge Design Code

considered as uniformly distributed over the width
of a 3 m Standard Design Lane.

W80 Wheel Loading

The W80 wheel loading models an individual

heavy wheel load. It shall consist of an 80 kN load
uniformly distributed over a contact area of
400 mm x 250 mm. The W80 Wheel loading is to
be applied anywhere on the roadway surface.
2.3.3

A160 Axle Loading

The A160 Axle loading models an individual heavy

axle. It shall consist of the loading shown in Figure
2.3.1.

160 kN

ELEVATION
400 mm 3 m
standard
design
lane

2.0 m

2.3.5

S1600 Stationary Traffic Loading

The S1600 loading models the loads applied by a

stationary queue of traffic. The S1600 Stationary
Traffic Load shall consist of a uniformly distributed
load together with a truck loading as defined in
Figure 2.3.3. The uniformly distributed component
of the S1600 Stationary Traffic Load continues
under the truck and shall be considered as
uniformly distributed over the width of a 3 m
Standard Design Lane.
The uniformly distributed component of the S1600
Stationary Traffic Load shall be continuous or
discontinuous and of any length as may be
necessary to produce the most adverse effects.
Likewise the truck position and variable spacing
shall be determined so as to produce the most
adverse effects.

250 mm

PLAN
Figure 2.3.1 A160 Axle Load
2.3.4

The uniformly distributed component of the M1600

Moving traffic Load shall be continuous or
discontinuous and of any length as may be
necessary to produce the most adverse effects.
Likewise, the truck position and variable spacing
shall be determined so as to produce the most
adverse effects.

M1600 Moving Traffic Loading

2.3.6

The M1600 Moving Traffic Load models the loads

applied by a moving stream of traffic. It is to be
considered in association with centrifugal forces
and braking forces and is thus relevant for bridges
of all spans.

Heavy Load Platforms

No heavy load platform design loading (HLP) is

required unless specified by the Authority.

The M1600 Moving Traffic Load shall consist of a

uniformly distributed load together with a truck
loading as defined in Figure 2.3.2. The uniformly
distributed component of the M1600 Moving Traffic
Load continues under the truck and shall be
360 kN

360 kN

360 kN

360 kN

6 kN/m
ELEVATION
1.25 1.25

3.5 m
400 mm

200 mm

1.25 1.25 Varies: 6.5 m minimum 1.25 1.25

3m
standard
design

5.0 m
0.5 m
2.0 m
0.5 m

PLAN
Figure 2.3.2 M1600 Moving Traffic Load
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1.25 1.25

2 - Design Loads

240 kN

240 kN

240 kN

240 kN

24 kN/m
ELEVATION
1.25 1.25

3.5 m

1.25 1.25 Varies: 6.5 m minimum 1.25 1.25

400 mm

5.0 m
0.5 m

3m
standard
design

200 mm

1.25 1.25

2.0 m
0.5 m

PLAN
Figure 2.3.3 S1600 Stationary Traffic Load
2.3.7

numbering) is to be selected to produce the most

adverse effects.

Number of Lanes for Design and

Lateral Position of Loads

The A160, M1600 and S1600 loadings shall be

assumed to occupy one Standard Design Lane of
3 m width. The number and position of Standard
Design Lanes shall be as follows:

For bridges that support vehicle and pedestrian

traffic, the accompanying lane factors shall be
applied to both the vehicle and the pedestrian
traffic. The total pedestrian loading shall be
considered as one Standard Design Lane.

The number of Standard Design Lanes n shall be:

2.3.9

n=

b
(rounded down to next integer)
3.1

where b = width between traffic

metres) unless specified otherwise.

barriers

(in

These Standard Design Lanes shall be positioned

laterally on the bridge to produce the most
adverse effects.
2.3.8

Accompanying Lane Factors for

Multiple Lane Bridges
Table 2.3.8 Accompanying lane factors

Standard Design
Lane Number ( i )

Centrifugal Forces

For bridges on horizontal curves, allowance shall

be made for the centrifugal effects of traffic
loading on all parts of the structure. The bridge is
to be designed to resist the most adverse coexisting effects induced by the M1600 Moving
Traffic Load and the Centrifugal Force (FC).
The Centrifugal Force (FC) shall be assumed to
act at deck level and is to be applied in
accordance with the distribution of load in the
M1600 Moving Traffic Load. The Centrifugal Force
(FC) shall be calculated from:

FC =

but not greater than (0.35 + )WC

Accompanying Lane
Factor (ALFi)

1.0

0.8

3 or more

0.4

When more than one lane is loaded, the A160,

M1600 or S1600 loading applied to the additional
lanes shall be multiplied by the Accompanying
Lane Factors in Table 2.3.8.
The number of Standard Design Lanes loaded
and the load patterning (Standard Design Lane

v2
WC
rg

where
FC = centrifugal force (kN)
WC = the load due to the M1600 Moving
Traffic Load for the length under
consideration (kN). Accompanying
lane factors shall be applied. No
Dynamic Load Allowance is to be
j

considered. (ie. =

ALF M 1600
i

i =1

v
r
g

= operating speed of the road (m/s)

= radius of curve (m)
= acceleration
due
to
gravity
2
(9.81 m/s )
= super-elevation
of
the
road
expressed as a ratio

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AUSTROADS Bridge Design Code

2.3.11.1 Magnitude of the Dynamic Load
Allowance

2.3.10 Braking Forces

Braking effects of traffic shall be considered as a
longitudinal force. Braking forces shall be applied
in either direction. The restraint system shall be
designed to resist the most adverse co-existing
effects induced by the Braking Force (FB) and the
vertical traffic loading. The Braking Force (FB) is to
be applied in accordance with the distribution of
mass of the vertical traffic loading.

The maximum bridge response = (1+ DLA) x the

maximum static bridge response to the loading
under consideration. The DLA is set out in Table
2.3.1.
Table 2.3.1 Dynamic Load Allowance

Loading

(a) Single vehicle stopping

FBS = 0.45WBS but not less than 200 kN or
greater than 700 kN

Where:
FBS = braking force applied by a single
vehicle (kN)
WBS = load due to a single lane of the
M1600 Moving Traffic Loading up to a
maximum of 1600 kN (i.e. 25 m of
M1600 loading).
(b) Multi-lane moving traffic stream stopping
FBM = 0.15WBM

where
FBM = braking force applied by multiple
vehicles (kN)
WBM = the load due to multiple lanes of the
M1600 Moving Lane Load for the
length under
consideration (kN).
Accompanying lane factors shall be
j

applied (i.e =

ALF M 1600
i

).

i =1

Dynamic Load
Allowance (DLA)

W80 Wheel Load

0.3

A160 Axle Load

0.3

M1600 Moving Traffic

Load
S1600 Stationary Traffic
Load

As per
Figure 2.3.4
0.0

Note: No Dynamic Load Allowance (DLA) is required for

Centrifugal Forces, Braking Forces or Pedestrian Loadings.
0.50
Dynamic load allowance

The braking force (FB) shall be assumed to act at

the road surface. The most adverse effects from
the following two scenarios (FBS and FBM) shall be
considered:

0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0

1
2
3
4
5
6
First flexural frequency of the superstructure (Hz)

Note: A range of first flexural frequencies from 0.9 to 1.1

times the calculated superstructure frequency shall be
considered. The dynamic load allowance adopted shall be the
maximum value obtained from this figure for this frequency
range.

Figure 2.3.4 Dynamic Load Allowance for M1600

Moving Traffic Load

When assessing the effects of longitudinal forces

on bridge bearings and substructure, the friction or
shear displacement characteristics of expansion
bearings and the stiffness of the substructure shall
be taken into account.

2.3.11.2 Application of the Dynamic Load

Allowance

2.3.11 Dynamic Load Allowance (DLA)

The dynamic load allowance shall be applied to all

parts of the structure extending down to the
ground line.

The dynamic load allowance (DLA) models the

dynamic effects of vehicles moving over bridges
with typical road profile irregularities.

For parts of the structure below the ground line,

the Dynamic Load Allowance shall be linearly
transitioned from the ground line value to zero at a
cover depth of 2 m.
For buried structures, such as culverts and soilsteel structures, the Dynamic Load Allowance

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2 - Design Loads

shall not be less than the values specified for the

A160 Axle Load (applied to the W80 Wheel Load,
the A160 Axle Load and M1600 Moving Traffic
Load) for a cover depth of zero and not less than
0.1 for a cover depth of 2 m or more, with a linear
interpolation in between. The Dynamic Load
Allowance established for the appropriate cover
depth shall apply to the complete structure.
2.3.12 Fatigue Loading
Amendments to this section are to be prepared by
the Austroads Structures Technology Group so
that the fatigue loads are compatible with the
revised Traffic Loads.
2.3.13 Pedestrian Loading
No change
2.3.14 Tramway and Railway Loading
The implications of and for the new
AUSTROADS Railway Supplement need
consideration.

2.3.15 Load Factors and Combinations of

Traffic Loadings
The effects of the elements of the transient traffic
loads defined in this Article are to be combined in
the following manner to achieve the most adverse
results. These combined traffic loads are then
combined with other loads as specified in Article
2.17.
In the following definitions, the subscript i is the
standard design lane number which varies from 1
to the number of standard design lanes n. The
number of lanes loaded ( j ) and the sequence in
which the lanes are numbered is to be chosen to
induce the most adverse effects.
The effects of pedestrian loads are to be added to
the A160, M1600 and S1600 loads where
applicable.
(a) Serviceability Limit State
W 80 (1 + DLA)
j

ALF
i =1

A160 i (1 + DLA)

ALF M 1600 (1+ DLA)

i =1

ALF S1600
i =1

FC and

ALF M1600
i

(1 + DLA)

i =1

FBS and M16001 (1 + DLA )

j

FBM and

ALF M1600
i

i =1

(1 + DLA )

(b) Ultimate Limit State

1.8[W 80 (1 + DLA)]
j

1.8 ALFi A160i (1 + DLA)

i =1

1.8 ALFi M 1600 i (1+DLA)

i =1

1.8 ALFi S1600 i

i =1

1.8 FC and

ALF

i =1

M 1600 i (1+DLA)

1.8[FBS and M 16001 (1 + DLA)]

1.8 FBM and

ALFi M 1600 i (1 + DLA)

i 1

Note that the lateral forces shall not be less than

the Minimum Lateral Restraint force defined in
Article 2.3.16.
2.3.16 Minimum Lateral Force
To ensure that the superstructure has sufficient
lateral restraint to resist unaccounted for lateral
forces not otherwise accounted for in the design, a
positive lateral restraint system between the
superstructure and the substructure shall be
provided at piers and abutments.
For continuous superstructures, lateral restraints
may be omitted at some piers provided each
continuous section of superstructure between
expansion joints is adequately restrained.
The restraint system for each continuous section
of superstructure shall be capable of resisting an
ultimate design horizontal force normal to the
bridge centreline of 500 kN or 5% of the

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6
superstructure dead
whichever is greater.

AUSTROADS Bridge Design Code

load

at

that

support,

Supports providing this lateral restraint shall also

be designed to resist this design force at the
Ultimate Limit State.
Restraints shall have sufficient lateral clearance to
allow thermal movements, especially on wide
curved superstructures.

2.4 Not used

Not used

2.11 Earth Pressure

As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

2.12 Friction Forces

As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

2.13 Earthquake Forces

As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

2.5 Not used

2.14 Shrinkage, Creep and

Prestress Effects

Not used

As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

2.6 Collision Loads on Bridge

Supports

2.15 Differential Movement of

Supports

Amendments to this section are to be prepared by

the Austroads Structures Technology Group so
that the loads are compatible with the revised
Traffic Loads.

As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

2.7 Kerb and Barrier Design

Loadings
Amendments to this section are to be prepared by
the Austroads Structures Technology Group so
that the loads are compatible with the revised
Traffic Loads.

2.16 Construction Forces and

Effects
As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

2.17 Load Combinations

As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

2.18 Dynamic Behaviour

2.8 Wind Loads
As per Australian Bridge Design Code.
As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

2.9 Thermal Effects

2.19 Road Signs & Lighting

Structures

As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

2.10 Forces Due to Water

As per Australian Bridge Design Code.

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AUSTROADS Bridge Design Code

Comments by Adam Lim MRD WA

1. Cl 2.3.8 accompanying load factors should be accompanying lane factors (refers to pedestrian loads)
2. Cl 2.18. Refers to deflection due to T44.

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