Cross-Frame Analysis and Design Improvements

Developments in bridge design and analysis in recent years have created the need for improvements to cross-frame analysis and design for steel girder bridges. In the past, the configuration of cross-frame systems were generally based upon standard designs in which member sizes and layouts were dependent upon geometry and minimum member cross section requirements. The opportunities for improvements to cross-frame analysis and design cover a variety of topics. This project will address a number of these topics in a single, comprehensive research program that should result in a dramatic improvement in reliability and economy of cross-frames for steel I-girder bridges. The topics addressed should include (1) improved definition of fatigue loading for cross-frames in curved and/or severely skewed steel girder bridges analyzed using refined analysis methods; (2) implementation of stability bracing strength and stiffness requirements in the context of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) load and resistance factor bridge design; (3) additional guidance for adjustment of the effective stiffness of cross-frame members in refined analysis models to reflect the influence of end connections on cross-frame member stiffness; and (4) streamlined design procedures for tee (WT) members in truss-type cross-frames and other strut applications The objective of this research is to provide (1) comprehensive, quantitatively based, guidance on the calculation of the design forces in cross-frames in steel girder bridges, (2) the calculation of stiffness requirements for stability, and (3) the influence of cross-frame member geometry upon the cross-frame stiffness.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=4194
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Source of proposed project: AASHTO Highway Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures. Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $750000
• Contract Numbers:

  12-113

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Dekelbab, Waseem

• Start Date: 20160511
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• Source Data: RiP Project 40828

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge design; Frames; Girder bridges; Load and resistance factor design; Steel bridges; Stiffness
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01598973
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: 12-113
• Files: TRB, RiP
• Created Date: May 11 2016 1:00AM