Distribution of Loads in Beam and Slab Bridge Floors HR-12, 1961

(1961) Distribution of Loads in Beam and Slab Bridge Floors HR-12, 1961. Transportation, Department of

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Abstract

The present trend in highway bridge design is toward structures consisting of reinforced concrete floor slabs supported by longitudinal stringers of steel wide-flange sections or prestressed concrete. This change from the old truss bridge in the 20 to 100 foot span class has resulted in lower fabrication costs, faster erection, and a cleaner looking structure. The building of expressways with their many grade separation intersections and multi-leveled interchanges has also increased use of this type of structure. In addition, long span truss bridges use the beam and slab floor system between traverse floor beams in the bridge. In practice the longitudinal beams may be simply supported at the ends or continuous over several spans. In addition, they can be bonded to the concrete slab using shear lugs giving rise to a composite section in which the concrete also acts as part of the beam in the positive moment region. Even if no shear lugs are present, some limited bonding action usually takes place between the beam and slab.