Development of site-specific fatigue truck weights and truck volume

Abstract

The trucking industry serves as a "backbone" to our nation's economy. With our nation's economy expanding, it is only natural to also expect a growth of our nation's trucks in both weight and volume. The study of site-specific truck weights and truck volumes is of extreme importance for estimates of remaining fatigue life in steel bridges. ☐ This research contains procedures for the development of site-specific fatigue truck weights and truck volumes particular to a stretch highway on Interstate 95 in Delaware. Weigh-in-motion data was used to analyze truck weights according to NCHRP Report 299 recommendations. Fatigue truck weights were developed for north and southbound traffic using Miner's law and the root-mean-squared approach. Axle configuration and cycles per truck passage for the fatigue trucks were taken in accordance with NCHRP Report 299 recommendations. Simple-span bridges number 1-708 and 1-709 were analyzed for lifetime average daily truck volume in the outer lane using both weigh-in-motion data and toll records. Bridges 1-708 and 1-709 were selected to coincide with the research performed by Fink (2006). A comparison was performed between site-specific observations and evaluation recommendations provided in NCHRP Report 299. ☐ The procedures used in this research for obtaining site-specific truck weights and truck volume could be used by the Delaware Department of Transportation for fatigue life estimates and health monitoring plans of steel bridges.