Rami Ibrahim Jabakhanji
Published: 1999
Total Pages: 216
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This report presents an investigation of the behavior of simply supported, multi-lane, reinforced concrete solid slab bridges using the finite element method. Solid slab bridges have a behavior pattern that falls between one-way slab behavior and two-way slab behavior. Geometric parameters such as: span length, thickness of slab, number of lanes, presence of shoulders, and the location of trucks, affect the behavioral pattern of solid slab bridges. Therefore, this study will investigate the effect of these factors by analyzing one-lane, two-lane, three-lane, and four-lane bridges, with or without shoulders, each having four different span lengths. Bridges were fully loaded (one AASHTO HS20 truck in each lane). Loads were either centered in every lane, or located towards one edge of the slab. In addition, all the slab bridges with shoulders were over-loaded by assuming a disabled truck on one edge of the bridge in combination with the other design trucks stationed side by side; this combination produces the worst loading conditions on the bridge. Design trucks were positioned in the longitudinal direction in order to produce the maximum positive bending moment.--The finite element method is proposed to analyze the solid slab bridges by using the structural analysis program SAP90. The research focussed on evaluating the maximum lateral bending moment distribution over the critical cross-section of the bridges. The results of this study were used to assess the design approach currently employed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) " Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges (1996)."