Author(s): Samih Qaqish*, Maher S Qaqish, Obada Ibrahim Hatamleh
The main objective of this study is to determine a fixed multiplication factor for Aashto Lfd that will be recommended to give the same result of bending moments, due to 1.8 Aashto LFD for four equal continuous spans with various span lengths of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 m. The bridge models will be analyzed using the CSi Bridge software. This study contains twenty finite element bridge models, with two lanes. Models are subjected to Aashto LFD and Aashto LRFD loadings, to obtain the girders moments. For two-lane models, bending moments, values increase with increase of span length. The maximum factors for two lane models were obtained when span length equals to 20 m at fourth interior girder, such that bending moment factor is 1.43. In case of live loads, the maximum factor for two lane models are obtained in span length of 20 m at second interior girder, where the bending moment factor is 1.72.
View PDF