A comprehensive traffic load model for bridge safety checking

In this paper a new model for the global analysis of traffic actions on roadway bridges will be presented. It has been developed in the frame of Crespo-Minguillon, C., Reliability based methodology for the definition of the limit state of decompression in prestressed concrete bridges. Ph.D. thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Catalunya, Barcelona, 1996. In order to make it feasible for use in the verification of most important limit states, the model includes an algorithm for the simulation of a continuous flow of traffic and another for the extrapolation of maximum results in short periods to long return periods. The model for traffic flow simulation includes a statistical treatment of most significant variables involved, and some original techniques to account for the most important correlations found in actual traffic. At the end, an example of application is shown. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.