Analysis of slab-on-girder bridges

Grid models of three short-span steel girder bridges are developed and analyzed. The techniques used to develop grid models are discussed. Stresses and deflections from the grid analyses are compared to results of field load tests of the bridges. It is found for all three bridges that the grid analyses are able to reproduce the maximum measured stresses within 30%. The grid analysis results are also compared to results from the AASHTO wheel load distribution factor method for two of the bridges. The grid analysis results were found to match the measured results more closely in both cases.