COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN LOAD DISTRIBUTION METHODS ON STRAIGHT BRIDGE DECKS WITH VARIATION IN THE NUMBER OF CROSSBEAMS - OPEN SECTION SUPERSTRUCTURE

This work's objective is to analyze and dimension of Reinforced Concrete stringers using the Engesser-Courbon Method for moving loads and the Yield Line Theory, Areas of Influence and Grid Method for determining permanent loads. It also to evaluate the influence of the number and stiffness of crossbeams on load distribution. With the research, concluded that the Areas of Influence method has shown to be more effective on decks with high crossbeams stiffness. The Yield Line Theory offered more accurate results compared to the Areas of Influence Method. The number of crossbeams was what most impacted the difference in steel areas between the decks. When the crossbeams numbers went from 4 to 5 and from 5 to 6, there was a reduction in the steel areas of the reinforcements by 25%, 35% and 40% on average, between the steel areas of the vertical stirrups positive and negative longitudinal reinforcements respectively.