Analytical Solutions to General Orthotropic Plates under Patch Loading

Abstract

Orthotropic plates are widely used in bridge deck systems. However, these are not commonly treated as such within design specifications, and semianalytical solutions are not presently available for all deck types. This paper develops deflection equations for infinitely wide and simply supported thin plates considering each of the three cases of orthotropy: (1) relatively torsionally stiff, flexurally soft; (2) uniformly thick plate; and (3) torsionally soft, flexurally stiff; subjected to arbitrary patch loading. These are common boundary and loading conditions encountered for bridge deck applications. The reported analytical solutions enable rapid evaluation of multiple moving patch loads to determine maximum design load effects and permit validation of numerical and finite-element methods. Application of the solutions will produce guidelines that can prescribe design demands and establish practical design simplifications for treatment of different bridge deck and slab systems in a uniform and consistent manner.