Design of large bascule bridges
capable of handling up to four lanes of traffic
(and
possibly six in the future) brings new challenges that have not been
addressed by current design guidelines. Assembly requirements of
such designs place constraints on the hub size of the fulcrum as
well as the type of joint utilized by such fulcrum assemblies. As a
result, many of these bridges deviate from current AASHTO and FDOT
guidelines on hub geometry as well as hub assembly designs (such as
eliminating the shrink fit between the hub and the girder). it is
essential to study the impact of deviation from existing
requirements on the performance of bridges, with the aim of updating
them to provide designers with guidelines for designing the next
generation of bascule bridges.
Funding Agency:
US Department of Transportation Principal
Investigator:
Glen Besterfield
(and
possibly six in the future) brings new challenges that have not been
addressed by current design guidelines. Assembly requirements of
such designs place constraints on the hub size of the fulcrum as
well as the type of joint utilized by such fulcrum assemblies. As a
result, many of these bridges deviate from current AASHTO and FDOT
guidelines on hub geometry as well as hub assembly designs (such as
eliminating the shrink fit between the hub and the girder). it is
essential to study the impact of deviation from existing
requirements on the performance of bridges, with the aim of updating
them to provide designers with guidelines for designing the next
generation of bascule bridges.