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Virginia Tech

Analysis of the AASHTO LFRD Horizontal Shear Strength Equation

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The composite action of a bridge deck and girder is essential to the optimization of the superstructure. The transfer of forces in the deck to the girders is done across a shear interface between the two elements. The transfer occurs through the cohesion of the concrete at the interface and then through the shear reinforcement across the interface. Adequate shear strength is essential to the success of the superstructure. A collection of 537 horizontal shear tests comprised the database for the study of various concrete types and interface surface treatments. The predicted horizontal shear strength calculated from the AASHTO LFRD bridge design code was compared to the measured shear strength. The professional bias was computed for each specimen. The professional biases, standard deviations, and coefficients of variation for each category were calculated. The material properties factor along with fabrication factor was researched. The loading factors were researched and calculated for use in calculating the reliability index. The final step was to compute the reliability index for each category. The process was repeated to learn the reliability of the equation proposed by Wallenfelsz. The results showed that the reliability index for the AASHTO LRFD horizontal shear strength equation wash much lower than the desired target reliability index of 3.5. The reliability index for the Wallenfelsz equation was higher but still not close to the target reliability index.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Civil Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Civil Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2011

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Lang, Maria Weisner
Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Rojiani, Kamal B.
  • Roberts-Wollmann, Carin L.
Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Moen, Cristopher D.

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-11082011-075549
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/35631

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Lang, Maria Weisner. Analysis of the AASHTO LFRD Horizontal Shear Strength Equation. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/35631