Assessment of the Rotation of Exterior Bridge Girders Due to Construction Loading Using TAEG Software

Abstract

An investigation was performed to assess the performance of the Torsional Analysis of Exterior Girders (TAEG) software in predicting rotation of exterior bridge girders due to eccentric construction loads associated with placement of the concrete deck. TAEG is frequently used by bridge contractors and designers to assess exterior girder rotation and design restraint systems. The primary objective was to investigate whether the program yielded consistent and reliable rotation results as compared to field measurements taken during bridge deck placements. The TAEG software was used to analyze four bridge construction projects and the results were compared to field measurements and results obtained from a finite element analysis (FEA). A secondary objective was to investigate how the program utilizes different bridge and construction parameters. Based on rotations measured in the field and determined using the finite element modeling, the program did not consistently yield accurate results which varied significantly based on the specific bridge configuration and loading conditions. This inconsistency was most likely a result of differences between field conditions and ideal conditions used by the software for analysis.