Load Models Representative of Brazilian Actual Traffic in Girder-Type Short-Span Highway Bridges

The Brazilian code NBR 7188 for highway bridge design prescribes a live load model consisting of 3-axle vehicle plus uniform load, which are both affected by an impact factor when considering dynamic effects. It does not play out actual traffic static effects and may be, in some cases, non-conservative. This work presents two configurations developed gathering real database, simulations, modeling the interaction between vehicles structure, statistical extrapolations. Proposed models comprise were calibrated two-lane single carriageway bridges with span lengths up to 40 m under free-flowing traffic. target values compared those generated new proposed models, as well model. Adequacy is demonstrated; results show that underestimated many particularly negative moments cantilevers.