Longitudinal Girder Moments in Simply Supported Bridges by the Finite Strip Method

The finite strip method is used to analyze three different kinds of simply supported highway bridges: slab-on-girder, two-cell box-girder, and rectangular voided slab bridges. Deck width from two lanes to four lanes are considered. The Ontario highway bridge design (OHBD) truck load is applied at the most critical location of the bridge. A total of 12 design curves are developed, corresponding to different bridge sections and deck widths. From these design curves, one can obtain the ratio of the maximum longitudinal bending moment to the equivalent beam moment. Key words: bridge decks, design curves, concrete, steel, finite strip, OHBD truck load.