Finite-element modeling of red maple glued-laminated T-beams and bridge behavior

Finite-element modeling methods are presented using an existing finite-element program to (1) predict the stiffness increase, due to the addition of deck panels, for red maple glued-laminated (glulam) T-beam assemblies relative to beams with no deck panels; and (2) predict the midspan beam deflection for a red maple glulam longitudinal stringer-transverse deck bridge for two loading conditions (one lane loaded and two lanes loaded). The red maple T-beam stiffness increase was determined for T-beams assembled with and without gaps between deck panels. The T-beam stiffness increase was predicted to within 5 percent for T-beams assembled with gaps between deck panels and to within 3 percent for T-beams assembled with no gaps between deck panels. Red maple glulam longitudinal stringer-transverse deck bridge maximum midspan beam deflections were predicted to within 6 percent for one-lane loading and to within 7 percent for two-lane loading.