Distributing the Load of Bridges over the

Girders
Article shared by : <="" div="">

ADVERTISEMENTS:

This article throws light upon the top two theories adopted for distributing load of bridges over
the girders.

1. Courbon’s Theory:

In Courbon’s theory, the cross-beams or diaphragms are assumed to be infinitely stiff. Due to the
rigidity of the deck, a concentrated load, instead of making the nearby girder or girders deflected,
moves down all the girders the relative magnitude of which depends on the location of the
concentrated load or group of concentrated loads.

In case of a single concentric load or a group of symmetrical load, the deflection of all the
girders becomes equal but when the loads are placed eccentrically with respect to the centre line
of the deck, the deflection of all the girders does not remain the same but the outer girder of the
loaded side becomes more deflected than the next interior girder and so on but the deflection
profile remains in a straight line as illustrated in Fig. 6.1.

The behaviour of the deck is similar to a stiff pile-cap and the method of evaluation of load
sharing or load distribution over the piles may be utilised in the evaluation of load coming on
each girder.

Thus from Fig. 6.1:

Load on beam A:
ADVERTISEMENTS:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Courbon’s method is valid if the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) The longitudinal girders are connected by at least five cross-girders, one at centre, two at ends
and two at one-fourth points.

(ii) The depth of the cross girder is at least 0.75 of the depth of the longitudinal girders.

(iii) The span-width ratio is greater than 2 as specified in clause 305.9.1 of IRC: 21-1987. The
Author, however, recommends that to get realistic values, the span-width ratio shall be greater
than 4 as was shown by the Author in an article published in the Indian Concrete Journal,
August, 1965.

The use of Courbon’s method in finding out the distribution coefficients is illustrated by an
example. It may be mentioned here that although the span-width ratio of the deck under
consideration is not such as to make the theory valid but just to make, a comparative study of the
results by the other method viz. Morice and Little’s theory, this is illustrated.

Example 1:

Find out the distribution coefficients for the outer and central girder (having same moment
of inertia) of the deck shown in Fig. 6.2 when single lane of class AA (tracked) loading is
placed on the deck with maximum eccentricity. The distance between centre lines of
bearings of the deck is 12 metres:
2. Morice & Little’s Theory:

Unlike Courbon’s theory, this theory takes into account the actual properties of the deck viz., the
flexural and torsional stiffness of the deck and therefore, this method is considered to be more
rational. The distribution coefficients obtained by this method fairly agree with the actual load
test results and therefore, the same is universally used.

In Morice & Little’s theory, the properties of the deck have been expressed by the
following two parameters:
Author’s Simplified Method of Morice & Little’s Theory:

Though Morice and Little’s method for finding out the distribution coefficients is more rational
and gives better results, this method has at least one drawback in relation to Courbon’s method
viz. this method requires much more time in finding out the distribution coefficients.

With a view to getting the distribution coefficients by the rational method of Morice & Little in
comparatively lesser time, a simplified method based on Morice & Little’s theory has been
developed by the Author.

The principal feature of the simplified method is that instead Of finding out the values of Ko and
K1 from no-torsion and torsion graphs and then getting the value of K from the interpolation
formula, K= K0 + (K1 – K0) √α, the value of K may be directly obtained from the curves (Fig. B-
1 to B-9 ) which have been prepared for various values of α and θ.

The number of standard reference stations also has been reduced to five only viz., -b, -b/2, 0, b/2
and b instead of nine in order to keep the number of curves for the standard reference stations
within practical limits.

The example used in finding out the distribution coefficients for the outer and central girders by
the Courbon’s method may again be tried by the simplified method of Morice & Little’s Theory.
This will explain the use of the simplified method for finding out the distribution coefficients as
well as will assist in making a comparative study between the two methods.
Examples 2:
Calculate the distribution coefficients of the outer and central girder of the bridge deck shown in
Example 1.

Given:

(i) Span = 2a = 12.0 m

(ii) Nos. of main beams = m = 3

(iii) Spacing of main beams = p = 2.45 m

(iv) Equivalent width = 2b = mp = 3 x 2.45 = 7.35 m

(v) Nos. of cross beams = 4

(vi) Spacing of cross-beams = q = 4.0 m

(vii) E = Young’s Modulus=35.25 x 104 Kg/cm2

(viii) G = Rigidity Modulus = 14. 10 x 104 Kg/cm2

Solution:

Moment of inertia of main beams:

Effective width of flange shell be minimum of the following values as per clause 305:12.2 of
IRC : 21-1987:

(a) Spacing of girders = 2.45 m = 245 cm

(b) 12 times the flange thickness plus rib width = 12 x 23 + 30 = 306 cm

(c) ¼ Span = 3.0 m = 300 cm

For calculating the moment of inertia, an idealized section of the girder as shown in Fig. 6.4
is assumed. M.I. of main beam about centroid of section = 18.80 x 106 cm. units:

Moment of inertia of the cross beam:

Effective flange width shall be minimum of the following:

(a) Spacing of cross beam = 4m = 400 cm.

(b) 12 times the flange thickness plus rib width = 12 x 23 + 25 = 301 cm.

(c) ¼ of span of the cross beam (assumed equal to the centre distance between outer girders)

2×245/4 = 122.5 cm.

Minimum value of 122.5 cm. is taken as the effective flange width. Moment of inertia of the
cross-beam, J= 5.78 x106 cm. units
Torsional stiffness of the cross-beam:

Effective flange width for cross beams may be taken as the spacing of the cross beam while
finding out the torsional stiffness.

Load on Equivalent Deck:

Equivalent deck width = 2b = np = 7.35 m. The tracked vehicle is placed on the equivalent deck
with the same eccentricity as shown in Fig. 6.2. The equivalent loads at standard reference
stations are calculated as simple reaction considering the distance between reference stations as
simply supported spans and each track load as unit load.

Unit Distribution Co-Efficient, k

The unit distribution coefficients at various reference stations for equivalent loads at
various positions as in Table 6.1 are obtained from curves B-1 to B-9 with 0 = 0.46 and a =
0.054 and shown in Table 6.2:

Distribution Coefficients at Various Reference Stations:

The distribution coefficients at various reference stations may be obtained by multiplying the
equivalent load λ with the unit distribution coefficients, k, adding vertically ∑ λ k and then
dividing by 2 since there are two unit loads on the deck. In case of 2 lanes of class A loading,
there will be four unit loads on the deck and as such ∑ λ k shall be divided by 4 to get
distribution coefficients for each reference station.

Actual Distribution Coefficients at Beam Position:

Table 6.3 shows the distribution coefficients at various reference stations but actual distribution
coefficients at beam positions are required to be known. This may be done by plotting the values
of the distribution co-efficient at various reference stations on a graph paper wherein the beam
positions are also shown.

The distribution coefficients may be read from the graph at the beams positions (Fig. 6.7).
These values are shown in Table 6.4:

It has been noted by comparison of the values of the distribution coefficients obtained by Morice
and Little’s original method and by the Author’s Simplified Method of Morice and Little’s
theory that results of both the methods are more or less the same and do not vary by more than 5
per cent.

Therefore, the simplified method presented herein may be adopted for practical design since this
method is much quicker than the original method.

Live Load Moments on Girders:

Total moment of the deck including impact as already worked out in Example 1 is 196.31 tm.
... Design live load moment on outer girder = Average moment x distribution coefficient

=196.31/3 x 1.45 = 94.88 tm

Design live load moment on central girder = 196.31/3 x 1.11 = 72.63 tm

It is shown in Fig. 6.1 that the deflection profile of the main girder is assumed to be a straight
line in Courbon’s theory but in practice the transverse deck is not infinitely stiff although
assumed in Courbon’s theory. Morice and Little method, however, takes into consideration the
actual properties of the transverse deck and as such the deflection profile is a curved one
(concave in shape) as obtained in Fig. 6.7.

This curved profile indicates that there is a transverse flexure in the bridge deck in addition to
deflection of the longitudinal girders. Therefore, for realistic moments, Morice & Little’s method
shall be used. Where rough assessment is required within shortest possible time, Courbon’s
method may be adopted.

Transverse Moments:

So far the methods of distribution of live load on the longitudinal girders and therefore the
procedures for finding out the bending moments-on the longitudinal girders have been discussed.
Now the method of calculating the transverse moments and consequently the bending moments
on the cross beams will be described.

Each of the theories illustrated before for determining the distribution coefficient has its own
method of finding out the transverse moments and will be discussed briefly in order to show the
procedure for designing the cross beams of bridge decks.

i. Transverse moment by Courbon’s method:

Since the basic assumption of Courbon’s theory is the infinite rigidity of the transverse deck, the
moment in the transverse direction is found out by applying the same principle by which the
moment in a stiff pile cap is determined. The loads transferred to the main beams are taken as the
reactions of the supports.

ii. Transverse moment by Morice & Little’s method:

The procedure for finding out the bending moment on the cross beam by Morice & Little’s
method has been described in details in Morice & Cooley’s book and therefore, is not repeated
here. Moreover, the Author’s simplified method outlined hereafter which is based on Morice &
Little’s theory will tell about this method more or less in the same line.

iii. Transverse moment by the Author’s simplified method:

When a load is placed on a bridge deck, it causes unequal deflection across transverse sections
and as such induces transverse bending moment.

This transverse bending moment is given by the infinite series:

It has been observed that first five terms are sufficient to get the moment at the centre of
transverse span where the moment is maximum.

Therefore, equation 6.5 reduces to

My = b(µθr1 – µ3θr3 + µ5θr5)

Where µθ, µ3θ , µ5θ are the transverse distribution coefficients for moments.

The value of 8 is obtained from equation 6.3, i.e., from the structural properties of the deck. The
term “rn” is the nth co-efficient of the Fourier Series representing the longitudinal disposition of
the load (Fig. 6.8).

The values of rn for IRC class AA (tracked) or IRC class 70-R (tracked) and IRC class A or
Class B loading are given below:

For Class AA or Class 70-R (tracked) loading

For moment at centre of span, where u = a (fig. 6.9)

For Class A or B loading:

The simplifications made in this method from the original method are:
(i) values can be directly read from the curve instead of finding out the values of µ0 and µ1 from
two set of curves and then getting p. values by applying the interpolation formula, µ = µ0 + (µ1 –
µ0) √α in each case.

(ii) The value of sin (nπu/2a) and sin (nπ/2) sin (nπc/2a) can be determined from the curves B-13
to B-15 and the values of loading series rn can be easily found out. The evaluation of these values
otherwise takes, considerable time.

The values of transverse coefficients p for various values of 0and a are shown in Fig. B-10 to B-
12 at the centre of the deck for load at (-) b, (-)b/2,0, b/2 and b. The values of rn for Class A or
Class B, Class AA (tracked) and Class 70 R (tracked) loading can be easily determined from the
curves as shown in Fig. B-13 to B-15 respectively.
Example 3:

Find the design live load moment on the cross-beam of the bridge deck in example 1 by
Courbon’s method and Author’s simplified Morice & Little’s method:

Courbon’s Method:

(i) Load placed symmetrically about centre line of transverse deck:

Considering longitudinal disposition (Fig. 6.9a), load transferred on the cross beam
= 2x 35 x 3.1/4.0 = 54.25 tons = W (say)

Let the load W be placed symmetrically with respect to the C. L. of the deck as shown in Fig.
6.9b. Since the transverse deck is assumed to be rigid, the reaction on each longitudinal girder is
W/3.

Now the moment on the cross beam will be maximum at the section where the shear is zero. This
section is 1.57 m away from outer support.

(ii) Eccentric load on the deck:

It may also be examined if the bending moment produced on the cross beam due to eccentric
load is more than that due to symmetrical load. The maximum of the two values shall have to
adopted in the design.

Author’s Simplified Morice & Little’s Method:

Symmetrical Load on Deck:

The same deck as in example 1 is considered. The influence line diagrams for reference station,
0, i.e., at centre of deck (where the transverse moment will be maximum) are drawn for µθ, µ3θ,
and µ5θ with the values of θ = 0.46 and α = 0.054 as before and is Shown is Fig. 6.10.

Then after placing the tracks of Class AA loading on the influence line diagrams, the combined
average ordinates of both the tracks are found which gives the values of µθ, µ3θ and µ5θ as 0.16, (-
)0.020 & 0.020 respectively. Similarly, the value of sin (nπ/2) sin (nπc/2a) are obtained from Fig.
B-14 which are 0.48, (-) 0.99 and 0.68 for n =1,3 and 5 respectively and for 2a = 12.0 m.

Transverse bending moment, per metre length, from equation 6.6

My = b [µθ r1 – µ3θ r3 + µ5θ r5 ]

Example 2 and 3 showed the application of simplified Morice & Little’s Method in respect of
IRC class AA (Tracked) loads.

This method may be used for IRC Class A or Class B loading also in the similar manner by
placing the single lane or two lanes of vehicles as the case may be in the transverse direction
with maximum eccentricity with respect to the centre line of the deck and calculating the
equivalent loads at reference stations considering each wheel load as unit load.
Therefore, ∑λ must be equal to number of wheel loads, i.e., ∑λ = 2 for single lane loading and
∑λ = 4 for two lanes loading. This?-implies that K = ½ ∑λk for single lane loading and K = ¼
∑λk for two lanes loading (Table 6.3).

As regards longitudinal loading for the determination of transverse moments, the train loads shall
be placed on the span to produce maximum moments and appropriate rn values shall be used
from equation 6.9. The wheel loads shall be placed symmetrically with respect to the centre of
the transverse deck.

Morice & Little’s method is more realistic and as such this method may be adopted in practical
design for getting design moments. Where very rough and quick assessment of distribution
coefficients is required, Courbon’s method may be used.

iii. Morice’s Distribution Coefficients from Courbon’s Values:

Courbon’s method of load distribution is very quick and simple but the distribution coefficients
obtained by this method are not very realistic when the span-width ratio is less than 4. Morice’s
method of load distribution, however, gives correct results as verified by load tests in a number
of bridges (Table 6.8).
Therefore, it would be very advantageous if by some means the Morice’s values of distribution
coefficients are obtained by applying Courbon’s theory.
Fig. B-16 & B-17 give values of multiplying factors for certain values of α and θ, the parameters
of the bridge deck. Morice’s distribution coefficients may be obtained if Courbon’s values are
corrected by these multiplying factors.
The correctness and usefulness of these multiplying factors in getting Morice’s distribution
coefficients from Courbon’s values within certain values of α and θ are shown in Table 6.8.
These multiplying factors were developed by the Author and published in the Indian Concrete
Journal.