Rapid Evaluation of Heavy-Cargo Vehicle Passing Capacity of Prefabricated Hollow Slab Bridges Considering Transverse Driving Position

Abstract

To evaluate the influence of transverse driving position of hydraulic modular trailers on prefabricated hollow slab bridges, a rapid evaluation method based on load effect comparison is proposed. Standard-span simply supported hollow slab bridges from 5 m to 20 m are investigated. The hydraulic modular trailer is simplified as equivalent longitudinal and transverse concentrated loads. The mid-span bending moment and support shear are selected as controlling effects. Centered driving and eccentric driving with the outer wheel track or equivalent load edge 1.0 m away from the inner edge of the guardrail are compared under Highway-I and Highway-II design load levels according to JTG D60-2015. The results show that Highway-I bridges can be preliminarily checked under the axle-line load of 180 kN for both driving positions. For Highway-II bridges, the 20 m span under centered driving and the 16 m and 20 m spans under eccentric driving should be further checked. Eccentric driving increases the controlling effect ratio by about 13%–19%, indicating that transverse driving position should be strictly controlled in practice.