Title: Serviceability Criteria in Prestressed Concrete Bridges

Author(s): Andrzej S. Nowak and Hid N. Grouni

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 83

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 43-49

Keywords: bridges (structures); cracking (fracturing); deflection; fatigue (materials); girder bridges; limit state design; live loads; loads (forces); prestressed concrete; serviceability.

DOI: 10.14359/1761

Date: 1/1/1986

Abstract:
Serviceability limit states such as cracking, fatigue, deflection, or vibration often govern bridge design. Therefore, it is important to develop rational design criteria. As the main concern is accumulation of damage caused by repeated applications of heavy loads (trucks), the proposed approach is therefore based on both the load magnitude and frequency of occurrence rather than just load magnitude as with ultimate limit states. In prestressed concrete girder bridges the live load spectra per girder vary according to the girder location. The cumulative distribution functions of live load per girder are developed, and the design criteria for cracking, fatigue, and vibrations/deflections are derived as upper limits on the frequency of the load occurrence.