Bridge sampling for evaluating structural impact of trucks

In this paper, a method for designing a statistically valid sample of bridges is proposed. The need for such a sampling procedure arises from the impracticality of a detailed analysis of the structural effects of new candidate truck configurations on the whole bridge inventory. In this study, a set of bridges from the national inventory was determined for the purpose of selecting a bridge sample. This set of bridges is referred to as the population. The selection of bridges for inclusion in the population was based on the status of the bridge, type of service, structural material, structural system type and functional class. The stratified sampling method was used in the determination of the required sample sizes. According to this method, the population was first divided into sub-populations, or strata. These sub-populations were non-overlapping. In turn, each strata was divided into sub-strata. The characteristics of each sub-stratum were estimated and combined to determine the characterics of the strata. Then the characteristics of the strata were combined to determine the characteristics of the bridge population. A comparison of the results based on the sample and bridge population was conducted in order to verify the validity of the proposed sampling procedure.     

基于AHP的模糊综合评价在砼桥梁中的应用

为了给大型桥梁建立客观的评估评价体系,进而为目前大量在役桥梁提供合理的维修加固依据,文章结合现有资料和相关规范,建立了混凝土桥梁整体工作状态评估的详细模型,提出桥梁各底层指标的评估等级向量的确定方法,并应用于工程实例中,为桥梁评估研究提供依据。     

关于桥梁技术创新的几点思考

文章指出,我国已经是一个桥梁技术强国,无论从桥梁的数量、跨径的大小、建设规模都已进入了世界先进行列,在桥梁的计算水平、经济指标、建设速度上与国外无多大的差异。我们与国外技术水平的差距主要表现在施工质量、桥梁的耐久性和桥梁美学上,我们技术创新活动应该在这些方面展开。文章共从6个方面展开对桥梁创新的思考。     

大型运输车荷载作用下的刚构拱桥加固方案分析

文章通过运用大型通用有限元软件ANSYS建立桥梁有限元模型,对刚构拱桥在大型运输车荷载作用下的受力特点进行分析,提出针对性的加固方案,并采用有限元模型分析了加固方案的可行性。     

Statistical models for the estimation of bridge replacement costs

Making accurate estimates of bridge replacement costs is essential to assess present and future bridge funding needs. A series of analyses of variance was performed on bridge replacement costs to evaluate the effects of bridge attributes. Replacement cost prediction models were then developed by regression techniques. Bridge attributes which can be easily understood by bridge inspectors and engineers were used as predictor variables. Nonlinear and log-linear models were evaluated for developing cost prediction models. A residual analysis of these models showed that log-linear models were preferred to nonlinear models. Costs of bridges that had been replaced between 1980 and 1985 by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) were used as a data base. Replacement costs were converted to 1985 price using construction price indices. The final cost prediction models were validated using the costs of selected bridges which were replaced between January and June 1986, by the INDOT. Bridge replacement costs estimated by these models showed a fairly good correlation with the actual contract costs. To estimate current or future costs at a place other than in Indiana, one need to multiply appropriate cost indices.     

基于公路桥梁设计中的安全性和耐久性分析研究

在建设公路桥梁时,最重要的是考虑关于安全和耐久两方面的指标。而频繁发生的桥梁安全事故,对于桥梁整体的工程效益有很大的影响,对于交通运输网络的破坏性也是相当明显的。本文将结合具体的工程案例,具体分析桥梁设计中存在的问题,对于提升桥梁设计的安全与耐久性进行探讨。最后提出相应的措施来提升桥梁工程施工质量。希望对以后的类似工程有一定的借鉴作用。     

大吨位汽车吊少支架安装钢管拱施工技术探讨

汽车吊安装以其施工工艺简单、施工快速、费用低等优点广泛应用于梁拱组合桥的钢管拱安装施工中。文章结合百色市百林大桥工程实例,介绍大吨位汽车吊少支架安装钢管拱施工技术,为今后类似工程提供借鉴。     

水平转体施工技术在北京轨道交通房山线的应用

北京轨道交通房山线区间桥梁工程在丰西铁路编组站区域内需4次跨越铁路,详细介绍了采用水平转体施工技术的4座桥梁设计、施工要点及技术关键,并在总结回顾的基础上,分析了目前我国水平转体技术桥梁设计施工受到的制约因素,为今后在跨越高速公路、铁路、河流等桥梁设计提供参考。     

A multi-criteria decision support methodology for implementing truck operation strategies

This study proposes a multi-criteria decision support methodology to enable the prioritization of potential alternative transportation system operations strategies and then demonstrates the effectiveness of the methodology using a case study involving truck operations. The primary feature of this methodology is its ability to help policymakers consider economic, public, and private sector standpoints simultaneously. The economic criterion is cost to the public sector where four criteria related to truck impacts on the transportation system are incorporated. These are traffic congestion, safety hazards, air pollution, and pavement damage. In addition, reliability and productivity are regarded as metrics representing the private sector viewpoint since they can significantly affect profitability. The methodology combines qualitative and quantitative aspects of these standpoints. In order to demonstrate the applicability of this methodology, a corridor with some of the highest truck traffic in the US is selected as a case study and three forms of left lane restrictions for trucks are considered. For qualitative analysis, survey data were collected from two groups classified as public agency and transportation industry professionals who are experts in trucking. In addition, a micro traffic simulation model was used to produce various performance measurements that can describe quantitative impacts. As a result, the methodology provides a rational argument for prioritizing potential alternative truck strategies.     

高速公路大桥加固施工及交通安全分析

随着交通的飞速发展,重载交通的比例不断提高,桥梁结构因各种原因不同程度地存在缺陷或病害,需要维修、加固和改造。文章对高速公路大桥加固施工人员、运营车辆、被加固桥梁存在的安全隐患等问题进行分析,提出了相关对策。     

Short-term prediction of border crossing time and traffic volume for commercial trucks: A case study for the Ambassador Bridge

Short-term forecasting of traffic characteristics, such as traffic flow, speed, travel time, and queue length, has gained considerable attention from transportation researchers and practitioners over past three decades. While past studies primarily focused on traffic characteristics on freeways or urban arterials this study places particular emphasis on modeling the crossing time over one of the busiest US–Canada bridges, the Ambassador Bridge. Using a month-long volume data from Remote Traffic Microwave Sensors and a yearlong Global Positioning System data for crossing time two sets of ANN models are designed, trained, and validated to perform short-term predictions of (1) the volume of trucks crossing the Ambassador Bridge and (2) the time it takes for the trucks to cross the bridge from one side to the other. The prediction of crossing time is contingent on truck volume on the bridge and therefore separate ANN models were trained to predict the volume. A multilayer feedforward neural network with backpropagation approach was used to train the ANN models. Predicted crossing times from the ANNs have a high correlation with the observed values. Evaluation indicators further confirmed the high forecasting capability of the trained ANN models. The ANN models from this study could be used for short-term forecasting of crossing time that would support operations of ITS technologies.     

A cost optimized steel bridge girder design for aashto - WSD and LFD

A cost optimized design method of steel bridge girders is studied by using the specifications of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation (AASHTO) Working Stress Design (WSD) method and Load Factor Design (LFD) alternates. Here, cost trade-offs for the steel plate (e.g., the base price plus extras for size, grade, testing and inspection, etc.), stiffeners and splicing are weighed throughout the entire span to minimize the objective function. The method is then applied to a set of over 30 steel bridge structures which collected from various state bridge inventories in order to obtain optimal cost configurations for both WSD and LFD methods. These results are analyzed by a linear regression model to define relationships between cost differences and bridge lengths. From these comparisons, conclusions are drawn to provide the guidelines. It is believed that effective application of these guidelines should lead to more economical designs, especially under the LFD method.     

A container terminal simulation model with animation capabilities

The objective of this paper is to introduce a computer simulation model with on-screen animation graphics, which can simulate the operations of a container terminal equipped with straddle carriers. The movements of the equipment are simulated as realistically as possible, to include time losses due to the mismatch in the sequence of equipment movements and to traffic congestion. Trucks are normally served in a specified area, but in some cases, straddle carrier drivers can call the truck to be served directly in the container storage areas. The experience of operators is incorporated in the model, in the form of a knowledge base, that is used to simulate the above process and determine the service discipline. The model was designed to evaluate different configurations (changes in yard layout, equipment number and productivity, truck arrival pattern and service discipline) of the simulated system. The proposed model was used to examine the differences between “the observed” operations strategy and the strategy dictated by the operational rules of the port of Piraeus. The results indicate that “the observed” strategy leads to shorter truck service time but increase the traffic conflicts in the terminal's internal transport networks.     

A novel classification method for driving simulators based on existing flight simulator classification standards

As technology has advanced and costs have fallen, the advantages of using simulators to train for safe, economical, and environmentally friendly driving have become more apparent. The need for a driving simulator classification arises from understanding and comparing simulator capabilities and options; however, only a limited number of studies have been conducted related to classification, calling for determination of methods and criteria. In this study, a classification method for driving simulators is proposed by adapting criteria for helicopter flight simulation training devices in which established methods of classification are defined by international and national regulators such as the Joint Aviation Authorities and Federal Aviation Administration. In the proposed method, the level of a simulator is determined by taking general characteristics under consideration, such as motion, visual, and sound systems. Through a case study, the method was applied to determine the class of a specific truck simulator.     

墩梁固结法在山区桥梁的应用

山区普通公路上的桥梁,具有高墩、小跨径的特点.为满足高墩的抗推要求,将高桥墩和主梁固结是一种有效的方法.文章结合百色水利枢纽库区道路复建工程中的大琶屯交通桥、者仙屯交通桥,通过对不同结构体系的对比,讨论墩梁固结结构的力学特性和经济性.     

关于呼和浩特市某既有城市桥梁拼宽改造的技术分析

根据目前工程实践情况,需拼宽改造的桥梁多为预制空心板、预制小箱梁、现浇箱梁等,传统拼宽方式主要采用与原结构相同的材质,有利于拼宽后的协同变形,但混凝土自重较大,拼宽时对原有结构承载能力安全储备要求较高;现浇混凝土构件满堂支架施工周期长,环境污染严重,质量难以保证;混凝土预制构件重量大,对运输安装要求高;新建混凝土桥与旧桥的收缩徐变和沉降差异较大,在这种情况下有必要尝试采用一种突破传统的拼宽方式。钢板梁桥相比混凝土梁具有自重轻、建筑高度低、强度高、绿色环保等优点,本文以呼和浩特市某既有城市桥梁拼宽改造工程为背景,通过采用钢板梁桥进行拼宽设计,解决了施工工期紧、现有旧桥承载能力不足等问题。     

公路桥梁伸入隧道方案探讨

包(头)茂(名)高速公路陕西境柞水至小河段出现多处桥隧相接,文章对项目中采用的桥梁伸入隧道方案进行了分析,介绍了桥梁伸入隧道方案设计施工中可能出现的问题及处理措施,如隧道断面加宽、隧道内排水系统出水口通畅、洞外管线进洞、隧道和桥台施工干扰、桥梁跨径布置等.桥梁伸入隧道方案可避免洞口高边坡,有利于环境保护,对开拓设计思路、提高选线的灵活性有一定的借鉴意义.     

复线桥施工对既有桥梁的安全控制分析

在既有桥梁下新建复线桥时,新建桥梁施工过程必然对既有桥梁产生影响。文章以重庆高家花园复线桥主桥为研究对象,分析复线桥主桥基础施工、桥墩施工和主梁施工各个阶段的风险源,并采用风险矩阵分析,合理评估每一风险事态对既有桥梁造成的风险等级,提出风险应对措施,以减少总体风险损失。通过风险评估,可为复线桥施工提供科学依据,杜绝安全隐患与风险,加快施工进度。     

国道106线阳河中桥的加固方法

随着交通量日益增长,部分旧石拱公路桥梁已不适应目前交通的需要,文章以国道106线阳河中桥为例,介绍利用套拱的加固方法,解决了旧石拱桥的承载能力,减小了对旧桥桥面的破坏,延长了桥梁的使用寿命。     

Fuel price elasticities for single-unit truck operations in the United States

This paper provides fuel price elasticity estimates for single-unit truck activity, where single-unit trucks are defined as vehicles on a single frame with either (1) at least two axles and six tires; or (2) a gross vehicle weight greater than 10,000 lb. Using data from 1980 to 2012, this paper applies first-difference and error correction models and finds that single-unit truck activity is sensitive to certain macroeconomic and infrastructure factors (gross domestic product, lane miles expansion, and housing construction), but is not sensitive to diesel fuel prices. These results suggest that fuel price elasticities of single unit truck activity are inelastic. These results may be used by policymakers in considering policies that have a direct impact on fuel prices, or policies whose effects may be equivalent to fuel price adjustments.