Edge Beam Stiffening of Multibeam Bridges

Abstract

A method is presented based on articulated plate theory for the determination of the distribution of deflections, moments and forces in bridge decks made up of several beams. The analysis employs a single series solution of the plate equation. Design equations are presented in a simplified form. The solution covers the case of multibeam bridges with edge-stiffening beams. A method of selecting an optimum size of edge-stiffening beam is examined. Comparison is also made with previously reported tests on full size bridges.