Steel Box Girder Load Rating for ODOT

Bridges

Presented by
Joel B. Tubbs, PE, SE
Matthew D. Harlan, PE
Introduction
Overview
 Brief overview of ODOT Load Ratings
 Current ODOT Load Rating Tools
 Project Scope / Purpose and Need
 Overview of Steel Box Girder Bridges
 Technical Issues
 Steel Box Girder Load Rating Procedure
 Template Highlights
 Questions
ODOT Load Ratings
 ODOT LRFR Load Rating
Manual (Nov 2015)
 AASHTO Manual for Bridge
Evaluation, 2nd Edition, with
all interims
 All state and local bridges
 Load rating procedures
outlined for seven unique
structure types, and also for
pin and hanger connections
and crossbeams
 Current ODOT Load Rating Tools
 BRASS-GIRDER (Version 7.5)
 RC Deck Girder
 RC Box Girder
 RC Slabs
 PSC Girder
 Straight Steel I-Girder
 Mathcad
 Preliminary files to document all
calculations
 Current ODOT Load Rating Tools
 Microsoft Excel
 Several calculation tools
 Capacity and RF Worksheet
 Crossbeam files
 Load Rating Summary
Workbook
 ODOT Concrete Bridge
Generator
 Stand-alone Windows
software
 Pre-BRASS processor
 Midas Civil
 PT Box Girder
 Load effects only
 Purpose and Need
 No current ODOT tool or procedures for rating steel box
girder bridges
 Unique calculations for determining capacity
 Additional load effects – torsional rigidity
 Significant number of steel box girder bridges in Oregon
 State and local bridges
 Important structures / high ADT routes
 Load ratings are required
 Procedures require development for repeatable calculations
and future load ratings
 Scope
 Develop procedures for load rating steel box girder bridges
 Determine applicable criteria for using these procedures
 Develop Capacity and RF Worksheet (Excel)
 Develop ODOT LRFR Manual chapter for steel box girders
 Perform load rating calculations on 26 steel box girder bridges
 Steel Box Girder Bridges
 East Fremont Ramps
 08958, 08958B,
08958D, 08958E,
08958F, 08958G,
08958H, 08958I
 West Fremont Ramps
 09268, 09268A,
09268B, 09268E,
09268N, 09268S,
09268W
 I-205 SB over I-5, Tualatin
 Steel Box Girder Bridges
 Sylvan Conn over Hwy 47 (US-26)
 Abernethy Bridge
 Local Agency Bridges
 Two RR car bridges
(Wallowa & Josephine Co.)
 Three river/railroad
crossings (Douglas &
Marion Co., City of
LaGrande)
 I-205 Overcrossings
 Stafford Rd, Meridian Rd,
Johnson Rd
 Steel Box Girder Bridges
 26 bridges
 Numerous configurations
 Criteria
 Curvature
 Skew
 Irregular spacing (a/w ratio)
 Splayed girders
 Bifurcated girders

What type of modeling is appropriate?

How to apply live load?
Technical Issues

 Live Load Distribution

 Curvature
 Skew
Technical Issues

 AASHTO LRFD Distribution Factor Criteria

 Straight Girders (6.11.2.3)
 Limitations on Web Spacing (6.11.2.3)
 Parallel Girders (6.11.2.3)
 Two or More Single-Cell Box Sections (6.11.2.3)
 Bearing Lines Not Skewed (6.11.2.3)
 Same Top Flange Distance for All Girders (6.11.2.3)
 Web Inclination Limit (6.11.2.3)
 Overhang Limit (6.11.2.3)
 Ratio of # of Lanes to # of Girders (4.6.2.2)
Technical Issues

 Alternative LL Distribution Factor Methods

 Lever rule
 Grillage
 Current research
Technical Issues

 Curvature
 Torsional and warping effects
 Parametric analysis
 Skew
 Torsional and warping effects
 Large skews on some bridges
 2D Grillage
Technical Issues

 Few Bridges in Inventory Meet Requirements for

Approximate Methods of Analysis
 Modified Criteria Required
 Not practical
 Need to be able to rate a representative population of
steel box girder bridges in inventory
 Met with ODOT to develop revised criteria
 ODOT Limitations of Applicability
Technical Issues

 ODOT Limitations of Applicability

 Box Girder Sections Not Covered:
 Straight or curved sections not meeting the requirements listed above
 Sections with a single box girder with one or more cells (refined analysis
required per AASHTO LRFD Article 6.11.1.1)
 Sections with composite concrete bottom box flanges (AASHTO LRFD
Article 6.11.1)
 Sections without composite reinforced concrete decks (AASHTO LRFD
Article 6.11.1)
 Bridges with span lengths that exceed 350 ft (AASHTO LRFD Article
6.11.1) unless specifically approved by ODOT on a case-by-case basis.
 Steel Box Girder Bridges – Group A
 Slight to no curvature
 Parallel girders
 Up to approximately 10 ° skew
 Nine bridges total

 Single Girder Line Model – Straight

 For slight curvature, use span length = arc length
 Live Load Distribution
 AASHTO LRFD 4.6.2.2
 Lever Rule analysis
 Steel Box Girder Bridges – Group B
 Curved bridges
 Parallel girders
 Slight variable skews – max 11°
 Majority East and West Fremont ramps

 Single Girder Line Model – Curved

 Live Load Distribution
 Lever Rule analysis
 Steel Box Girder Bridges – Group C
 Highly complex
 Curved bridges
 Splayed girders
 Bifurcated girders
 Skews greater than approximately 10 °
 Other box girder bridges listed in AASHTO LRFD 6.11.1

 Grillage Analysis – ongoing

ODOT Steel Box Girder Load Rating

 Load Rating Files

 Preliminary File
 Midas Model
 Capacity and Rating Factor Workbook (Template)
ODOT Steel Box Girder Load Rating

 General Procedure
 Develop preliminary file
 Initiate template input and create shell commands
for Midas
 Run Midas model
 Copy flexural, shear, and reaction demands into
template
 Calculate section capacities and rating factors in
Midas
ODOT Steel Box Girder Load Rating

 Preliminary File
 Defines all critical
information and
assumptions used in
rating calculations
 Section/material
changes
 Stiffener
spacing/properties
 Applied loads
 Coordinate geometry
for curved girders
 Analysis points
ODOT Steel Box Girder Load Rating

 Midas Model
 Shell Commands!
 Curved Geometry
 Internal Force Effects for Each Load
ODOT Steel Box Girder Load Rating

 Capacity and Rating Factor Worksheet (Template)

 Midas shell commands
 Bearing, Shear, Flexural Capacity Calculations
 Combined Force Effects
 Rating Factor Calculations
Template Highlights

 General Template Assumptions

 Must qualify as type ‘b’ or ‘c’ per AASHTO LRFD 4.6.2.2.1-1
 Live load factors calculated per AASHTO unless user
modified
 Deck compressive stress < 0.6*f’c for compact sections in
positive flexure
 Stiffeners ignored in gross section properties
 Superimposed DC and DW loads applied to composite
section
 User to confirm stiffener section properties meet
requirements
Template Highlights

 Detailed Output
Template Highlights

 Shell Commands
Template Highlights

 Expanded Tables
Template Highlights

 Rating Factor Worksheet

Steel Box Girder Load Rating for ODOT
Bridges

QUESTIONS?
Presented by
Joel B. Tubbs, PE, SE
Matthew D. Harlan, PE