Effects of different truck loads on behaviour of bridges - A comparative analysis

Abstract

Department of Highways, Thailand, has specified different weight conditions for Thai trucks which are essentially different from other countries all over the world. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different loading conditions on the bridge response. Quantitative and qualitative analyses are considered in detail. The bridge responses due to loadings as per different countries were quantitatively compared with those of Thai loadings according to several government gazettes. The qualitative comparisons were descriptively explained. In the quantitative analysis, bending moments and shear forces along with dynamic impact and the probability of lane occupation for different span lengths (i.e., 5 m to 100 m) were determined. Based on analysis results, it was found that bridge response to the loading conditions of Thai trucks is very low as compared with the loading conditions of other countries such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, India, Japan and China. There was the only exception in the case of HS20-44. Further, it was observed that in the case of shear and moment, there is an increase in the ratios with an increase in the span length of the bridges. The results indicate that the live load conditions of Thailand need to be carefully considered in the design of highway bridges. The findings of the current study can be effectively utilized to implement the design strategies in Thailand and the South-East Asian region. © School of Engineering, Taylor’s University