The minimum transverse strength of slab bridges

Abstract

Summary A theoretical analysis of the modes of failure and ultimate strength of slab bridges shows that the normal method of elastic analysis leads to a design in which the transverse flexural strength is considerably greater than that required to give a factor of safety in the structure as a whole equal to that of longitudinal elements considered alone. It is suggested, therefore, that in the design of slab bridges advantage can be taken of this by permitting moderate tensile stresses when calculating the degree of transverse prestressing required, and that in reinforced slab bridges the amount of transverse reinforcement can be appreciably reduced.