5.

Design Method

An orthotropic plate is one which has different stiffnesses in two directions. Thus, a beam
and slab deck, when analyzed by means of plate analogy, is also orthotropic. It is
emphasized that bridge decks are generally orthotropic due to geometric rather than
material differences in two orthogonal directions.

(1) Forces in a Plate Element

(2) Idealized Deck Action

If a plate element subjected to an intensity of loading of p is considered in rectangular co-
ordinates x and y which coincide with the directions of principal orthotropy, then the
bending moments per unit length (Mx & My), twisting moments per unit length (Mxy & Myx),
and shear forces per unit length (Vx & Vy) which act on the element are shown in the figure
(1) above. And Figure (2) shows an idealized action of the deck modelled as orthotropic
plate.

The series solution for bridge decks was originally due to Guyon and Massonnet, and then
developed by Morice and Little who, together with Rowe, produced design charts which
enable the calculations carried out by hand.

In this bridge assessment, Morice-Little method was used to analyze the proposed deck.
Since this nature of simplified methods will not only shorten time spent on analysis, but will
also permit the designer to retain a “feel” of behaviour of the bridge which is usually lost in
some other method of analyses. The results from the proposed method do not deviate
significantly from those obtained by other analysis methods including computer aided
ones. These kind of simplified methods for bridge design have been allowed to use for
many years by various North American bridge design codes.

(3) Structural Behaviour of the Beam-Slab Deck