Bridge Load Posting Based on Load Testing

In Kentucky, a number of bridges on US routes lack design plans and are load rated/posted based on engineering judgement. An additional complication is that some super load permit and OW/OD trucks traverse these US routes. AASHTO guides and standards that assist engineers in load rating such bridges often yield very conservative load postings. A number of studies conducted nationally and in Kentucky have highlighted this point by comparing load postings based on field tests to those based on engineering calculations. This study will conduct field testing on a representative group of bridges to determine their in-situ load capacity and recommend a load posting. Findings will bolster the accuracy of load ratings as well as the confidence they instill when loads are posted for bridges on US routes.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $150000
• Contract Numbers:

  KYSPR 20-593

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

  200 Mero Street
  Frankfort, KY  United States  40622
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Kentucky, Lexington

  Kentucky Transportation Center College of Engineering, 176 Raymond Building
  Lexington, KY  United States  40506-0281
• Principal Investigators:

  Peiris, Abheetha

• Start Date: 20190701
• Expected Completion Date: 20210630
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Field tests; Highway bridges; Load limits; Load tests
• Geographic Terms: Kentucky
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01711190
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University of Kentucky, Lexington
• Contract Numbers: KYSPR 20-593
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 17 2019 1:37PM