Load model (40 tonne-traffic) for the assessment of existing road bridges (AGB1999/154)
Overview
Background & policy context:
40 tonne-trucks will circulate throughout the Swiss road network. This raises questions about certain bridges on cantonal and local roads designed for a traffic limited to 28 tonnes. Cantonal authorities therefore need to assess existing bridges for 40 tonne-traffic and an appropriate load model is thus urgently needed.
Objectives:
The objective of this research is to develop a load model for Swiss traffic which will be limited to a legal gross weight of 40 tonnes. The model will be established for the assessment of existing bridges with two traffic lanes (bi-directional traffic) and is therefore not intended for motorways or transit roads. For these cases, the traffic load models in the Swiss Code SIA 160 or the Euro codes should be used.
Methodology:
The first stage of this research consisted of analysing these measurements in order to
define a traffic model which approximates, as closely as possible, the real traffic. A program for the analysis of the measurements was developed towards this end.
In the second stage of this research, a traffic simulation program offering high configuration flexibility was developed.
In the third stage, the results of the simulations were compared with the internal force values calculated according to the SIA 261 code.
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