Proposal to evaluate the load capacity of bridges subjected to bending and shear due to living load traffic

Abstract

This research work reflects the procedure to evaluate the classification factors associated with the load capacity of existing reinforced concrete bridges in Colombia, taking as a case study a bridge simply supported by reinforced concrete with a span of 12 m, determined the physical relationship between the nominal flexion of the element and the flexion due to live load for the bridge under study, for which the established criteria were accepted is the philosophy based on load and resistance factor rating recorded in the manual for evaluation of bridges of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, concluding that the procedure implemented is consistent with the criteria established in the bridge design manual in Colombia based on the reliable use of statistical factors and the theory of probabilities for the development of bridge designs such structures.