LONGITUDINAL STRESS OVER SUPPORTS OF CONCRETE BOX-GIRDER BRIDGES

This paper describes a study of the values of longitudinal moments/stresses and their distribution at sections over the supports of continuous box-girder bridges. A series of continuous box-girder bridges are analyzed using the finite element method. Results from the finite element analysis are compared with the classical beam theory which is used in the design for this type of bridge. It is found that the use of the classical beam theory assuming knife-edge supports usually results in an overestimation of the support moments. A modified beam-type equation for the support moments is proposed for the design of continuous box-girder bridges.