Semester of Graduation
Spring 2018
Degree
Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)
Department
Civil Engineering
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Over-height vehicle collisions are a growing concern as commercial vehicles, as well as their cargo, become taller. Engineers recognize the dangers of over-weight vehicles traveling on our bridges and are able to adequately predict the behavior of a bridge subjected to increased live loads. However, bridges are becoming more vulnerable to collisions from over-height vehicles. Not only are the time and place of over-height vehicle collisions difficult to predict, but also the exact response of the bridge subjected to the lateral impact force is difficult to predict.
Most states use early warning detection systems to alert over-height vehicles and/or crash beams to stop the vehicle from impacting a low clearance bridge that lies ahead. However, the warning system only works if the truck driver is paying attention. While crash beams are effective in protecting bridges from collisions, they cause significant damage to the over-height vehicle itself. If bridge collisions due to over-height vehicles are deemed unpredictable and impossible to prevent, then a more refined sacrificial system should be developed and implemented that minimizes damage to both the bridge and the vehicle in the instance that a bridge strike occurs. Investigating the performance of sacrificial mitigation systems on both the bridge and vehicle is the focus of the current study.
Date
4-3-2018
Recommended Citation
Hoffmann, Marc Alexander, "Over-Height Vehicle Impact Reduction on Bridges: A Case Study" (2018). LSU Master's Theses. 4682.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/4682
Committee Chair
Aly, Aly-Mousaad
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_theses.4682