ABSTRACT
The goal of the bridge engineer is to design bridges which are durable, serviceable and safe. One of the important concerns in serviceability is the comfort of those crossing the bridges. Although human perceptions are subjected to the vibrations, there is seldom direct provision in design codes to ensure the user comfort. The current AASHTO specifications specify span-to-depth ratio and static deflection limits in the hope that these limits will control vibrations. However, the human is primarily sensitive to accelerations rather than displacement (Gaunt, 1981).
The objective of the paper is to compare and analyze the existing design criteria on deflection and/or vibration limit in various codes and documents and investigate the applicability on typical bridge types in Korea through theoretical and experimental study. This study focuses on literature review of deflection and vibration, human response to vibration in order to understanding how these limits ensure the comfort of bridge users.
Actual bridges that represent typical types of bridge are selected for experimental measurement and theoretical study. The design documents of the bridges are collected for modeling process. The dynamic deflection and acceleration of these bridges are recorded when the test truck or normal traffic cross bridges at various speeds. The collected data from field measurements are analyzed in order to determine static deflection and frequency. These values are compared to analytical predictions. Theoretical and experimental results are then compared with design limit to investigate the applicability of design limit. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315207681/cd556cd4-4dcf-4efe-8e29-56fc67b8bfbd/content/fig257_1.tif"/>
