Realistic traffic-data based load models for existing road bridges

In the context of an increased importance of reassessment of existing bridge structures and the resulting need for more realistic and precise descriptions of traffic load impact on bridges, a research project has been initiated, aiming for development of site-specific traffic load models and evaluation of their potential when applied within the scope of reassessment. The object of investigation is the federal highway BAB A92 in Bavaria, Germany. Based on large sets of recorded traffic data provided from permanent measurement stations, extensive numerical traffic simulations are performed. By evaluation of the structural response for selected bridge systems due to this simulated traffic and subsequent statistical extrapolation to extreme load effects, characteristic values of traffic load effects with defined return periods in accordance with requirements from the Eurocode are obtained, serving as base for calibration of site-specific load models.