Design Wave Forces for Bridges Exposed to Hurricanes.Example of Chef Menteur Bridge, LA

摘要

Failure of coastal bridges during recent hurricanes (Ivan, Wilma, Katrina andothers) has required re-evaluation of engineering criteria and methodologies for thedesign of suspended-deck structures in hurricanes-prone coastal areas. This papersummarizes the work conducted by Coast & Harbor Engineering, Inc. (CHE) forLouisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) to identify anappropriate methodology and develop the required technical information on waveloads for the Chef Menteur Bridge design. The paper also presents a comparisonanalysis of wave loads on the bridge obtained using different engineering methodsincluding two different versions of AASHTO Guide Specifications. Computed waveloads consisted of horizontal and uplift forces and moments about the trailing edge atall bridge span locations. Based on comparative analysis of all used methods andunderstanding of uncertainties with design storm input parameters, it wasrecommended to derive design wave forces and moments based on a combination ofall of the methods considered.