Date of Award

Spring 5-2019

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Civil Engineering

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Major Professor

Mattei, Norma Jean

Second Advisor

Malay Ghose Hajra

Third Advisor

Engin Egeseli

Abstract

This thesis presents the results of a mathematical analysis of various live load combinations on highway bridge spans up to 304.8 meters (1,000 feet) total lengths. The analysis included continuous beams, but only the results for simple beams is presented. The analysis was performed using an independently developed Microsoft EXCEL spreadsheet computation, based on superposition and classical mechanics.

In this thesis, several actual bridge live loadings and several hypothetical live loadings were analyzed and compared to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Load and Resistance Factor Design method. Also considered was the new bridge design method adopted by the Louisiana Department of Transportation in March 2015. The evolution of bridge design loads is discussed, and the concept of the Military Load Classification is introduced and adapted to the bridge design analysis. The results of the analysis are presented, compared and interpreted for use in future bridge design.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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