Lateral Load Distribution for Hollow Slab Bridge: Field Test Investigation

Abstract Distribution factors (DFs) for one typical cross-section as specified in the AASHTO LRFD specification can be varied when the bridge parameters such as span length, loading lanes and skew are changed. The diversity between design and actual DFs may be varied as the bridge parameters changed. To study this diversity, this paper presents an evaluation of lateral load DFs for prefabricated hollow slab bridges. The response of the bridge was recorded during the field test. This field test was divided into two stages: a concentrated force loading test on the prefabricated girder that settled on the bridge supports before the girders were connected transversely and a vehicle loading test after the girders were connected transversely. The instruments used to record the response of the bridge were strain gauges and dial indicators. The measured data in the multi-stages of the field test could be used to calibrate the support condition of the bridge and transverse connection between adjacent girders in the finite element model (FEM) using beam and plate elements. From the FEM, DFs for this hollow slab bridge were determined and compared with the DFs in the AASHTO LRFD specification. A parametric study using the calibrated FEM was then used to investigate the effect of various parameters including span length, skew and bridge deck thickness on the DFs. It was found that AASHTO LRFD specification is conservative compared with the analysis in the FEM, while this conservatism decreased as the span length and skew of the hollow slab bridge increased.