BRIDGE LIVE LOAD

DISTRIBUTION
Muhammad Furqan Ahmed
INTRODUCTION
Live load distribution on highway bridges is a key
response quantity in determining member size and,
consequently, strength and serviceability. It is of critical
importance both in the design of new bridges and in the
evaluation of the load carrying capacity of existing
bridges.

Live load distribution is a function of the magnitude and
location of truck live loads and the response of the
bridge to these loads.
METHODS SELECTION
The selection of the analysis methods is very important in
bridge designing. AASHTO LRFD Chapter.4 describes
the acceptable methods that satisfy the requirement of
equilibrium.

The following methods are mainly used for analyzing
bridge LL.

- Grillage/ Finite Element modelling
- Approximate Methods ( Simplified Methods by derived
equations as per code)
Note.
This presentation will only covers the approximate
methods as per code.
METHODS SELECTION
The selection of the analysis methods is very important in
bridge designing. AASHTO LRFD Chapter.4 describes
the acceptable methods that satisfy the requirement of
equilibrium.

The following methods are mainly used for analyzing
bridge LL.

- Grillage/ Finite Element modelling
- Approximate Methods ( Simplified Methods by derived
equations as per code)
APPROXIMATE METHOD
There are so many researches done on the evaluation of
these formulas by comparing its results with an
accurate analysis, like Finite Element or Grillage
analysis.

A database of several hundred actual bridge decks was
also prepared, and analytical models were developed
for all bridges in database for comparison purpose and
found the results of the code equations are within 10%
difference.

The key parameters for each bridge type used in these
formulas are girder spacing (S), span length (L), girder
stiffness (Kg), and slab thickness (t)
APPROXIMATE METHOD
There are so many researches done on the evaluation of
these formulas by comparing its results with an
accurate analysis, like Finite Element or Grillage
analysis.

A database of several hundred actual bridge decks was
also prepared, and analytical models were developed
for all bridges in database for comparison purpose and
found the results of the code equations are within 10%
difference.

The key parameters for each bridge type used in these
formulas are girder spacing (S), span length (L), girder
stiffness (Kg), and slab thickness (t)
DISTRIBUTION FACTORS
(AASHTO LRFD & NCHRP)
FOR INTERIOR GIRDER FOR INTERIOR GIRDER
FOR EXTERIOR GIRDER
EXTENTIONS
In addition to base formulas, several extensions were also
investigated. This includes.

- Continuity Effect. (Use Span length as an average of
adjacent spans)
- Edge Girders. (Depending upon the edge distance)
- Skew effect. (Angle)

For most of the cases the results of the base formulas can
be adjusted by a correction factors which is given in
detail in AASHTO LRFD. By using this factor fs, the
final modified distribution factor would be.

gs = fs go
EXTENTIONS
In addition to base formulas, several extensions were also
investigated. This includes.

- Continuity Effect. (Use Span length as an average of
adjacent spans)
- Edge Girders. (Depending upon the edge distance)
- Skew effect. (Angle)

For most of the cases the results of the base formulas can
be adjusted by a correction factors which is given in
detail in AASHTO LRFD. By using this factor fs, the
final modified distribution factor would be.

gs = fs go
CONCLUSION/ RECOMMENDATIONS
The simplified formulas as discussed above results within
5-10% of results of Finite-element deck analysis.

But still, a grillage or finite element analysis is
recommended for verification of the skewed and curved
bridge cases where these simple formula methods may
not applicable.
CONCLUSION/ RECOMMENDATIONS
The simplified formulas as discussed above results within
5-10% of results of Finite-element deck analysis.

But still, a grillage or finite element analysis is
recommended for verification of the skewed and curved
bridge cases where these simple formula methods may
not applicable.
THANK YOU!!!
REFERENCES:

1- AASHTO LIVE LOAD DISTRIBUTION SPECS.
2- AASHTO LRFD CHAPTER 4.
3- NHI LECTURES, CHAPTER-6