Modelos de carga viva para el diseño y evaluación de puentes en Chile

Abstract

Bridges are critical for the development of a territory. Their useful life is affected by the traffic loads to which they are exposed. To maintain safety and service capacity, it is essential to know the actual loads to which they are subjected.  Bridges in Chile are designed according to the Highway Manual, based on the old U.S. design specifications and its vehicle load pattern proposed in 1944. The U.S. load pattern was updated in 1993. Both patterns were proposed based on limited data; furthermore, no information is available on the adequacy of these models to represent national traffic loads. Truck weighing is routinely monitored and recorded throughout the country and this information has many uses as yet unexplored. A research proposal was presented to Fondecyt de Iniciación and accepted for execution between 2023-2025. The objective of this study is to propose probabilistic live load models that describe the uncertainty in the load patterns specified for design. The statistical evaluation will be performed by comparing the actual effects caused by traffic with the idealized live load patterns. The results could contribute to support changes in national bridge design and evaluation specifications, and could open investigations leading to safer, more efficient bridges, and to prepare bridges for new transportation trends.