STUDIES IN GIRDER BRIDGES USING SEMICONTINUUM METHODS

Abstract

A number of methods are available for analysis of girder bridge systems. They range from the most simple like Courbon's method to the most sophisticated finite element method yielding in increasing amount of accuracy. However, the increasing amount of accuracy also demands increasing amount of knowledge, efforts, cost and time on computations. From this point of view, semicontinuum method of girder bridge analysis turns out to be quite convenient. This method is comparatively new but is becoming popular with bridge designers at a fast rate. In the studies present in this dissertation, the loading segments of the existing computer programs have been modified so as to handle the IRC loadings automatically with simple initial inputs. The IRC loadings incorporated are Class 70R, Class AA and Class A/B for both the tracked as well as the wheeled type of vehicles. The positioning of the loads on the bridge plan, both longitudinal as well as transverse, can be easily picked up by the designers. A few bridges have been analysed using the computer software developed with a view to demonstrating the working of the programs, ease and efficiency of input data preparation.