Bridge evaluation by mean load method per the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code

Abstract

The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) provides two alternative methods for evaluating the strength of existing bridges. The load and resistance factor method provides a general approach and covers the most extreme load situations that can occur in a general bridge population. The mean load method considers the uncertainties of loads acting on a specific bridge, the method of analysis, and resistance of the structure involved, and thus can provide a more accurate evaluation of individual bridges. Since traffic load represents a major portion of bridge loads, a better evaluation of specific bridges is obtained by using the statistical parameters of traffic loads observed on the structure. However, the overall accuracy depends heavily on capturing the most critical loading conditions during the survey periods. The mean load method is particularly valuable where actual traffic loads are expected to be significantly lower than those used in code calibration and when the potential economic benefits arising from a more realistic evaluation outweigh the extra costs of live load data collection and analysis. This paper demonstrates that the mean load method using site-specific traffic loading information can lead to a significantly higher live load-carrying capacity of a bridge.Key words: highway bridges, bridge evaluation, reliability, mean load method, bridge testing.