Recently a full scale prototype of a steel orthotropic deck was evaluated for a signature bridge in the ATLSS Engineering Research Center, Lehigh University. The deck was innovatively designed to be integral with the existing deck framing system. Since fatigue critical live load stresses at welded connections in an orthotropic deck can be produced by different loading dispositions, the response of the prototype deck was determined under a rolling tandem axle bogie in eight transverse positions. Global displacements at the specimen boundary were simulated by three under deck hydraulic actuators. The deck was instrumented using more than 300 sensors at critical locations. A 3D finite element model of the prototype deck was analyzed corresponding to the discrete axle positions and compared with experimental results. The prototype testing and the analytical studies provided critical understanding of the complex behavior of the deck and the influence surface/response envelopes under local wheel loads.
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