Design Considerations for Aircraft Bridges

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the methodologies associated with the design of bridges utilized to support large aircraft loadings. Unlike their highway counterparts, there is very little information published and made available to airport bridge designers by those agencies responsible for the development of airport operation standards. Consideration is given to the derivation of aircraft loading parameters ranging from 450 to 590 Mg (1.0 million–1.3 million lb) vehicles, as well as unique dynamic effects associated with aircraft such as impact, breaking, and exhaust thrust loads. The present paper will also focus on the unique dimensional characteristics of an aircraft bridge as required to meet strict safety guidelines for vehicle movement and operation. The information presented herein will be based on constructed examples of innovative designs where these unique constraints have been safely met using steel girder, precast beam, and posttensioned concrete bridge solutions. Finally, this paper will present a proposed design criteria to aid in the future design of these important facilities.