Experimental and analytical investigation on the behavior of continuous box girder bridges.

Abstract

Continuous curved box girder bridges are increasingly being used in metropolitan large cities particularly as flyovers and as entrance and exit ramps for highspeed freeways. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the static response of continuous curved box girder bridges subjected to various specified OHBD loadings. The prototype structure that was selected for this model study is the Cyrville road Queensway overpass located in the east end of Ottawa. The structure was built in 1973 and designed according to ASHTO design truck load HS20-44 by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication. The bridge is 102.4 meters long, 12.8 meters wide, and consists of two spans with 16.8$\sp\circ$ horizontal angle of curvature between the end supports. Its cross section consists of four contiguous cells with a depth of 1.83 meters. As for the diaphragms, two prestressed diaghragms are placed at the extreme end supports and one is placed over the middle support.