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AASHTO Thermal "TU" vs. Friction "FR"

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bridgeengineer2007

Civil/Environmental
May 2, 2012
27
Hello all,

How have you all distinguished between the FR and TU force calculation for a steel Fixed or Expansion Bearing? In my experience, I have applied 10% of the DL as the Friction Force for Expansion Bearings. However, AASHTO is vague on how to calculate the Thermal Force TU for a Fixed Bearing. I understand the calculation for the total expansion/contraction amount based on the formula (the formula that includes the temperature rise/fall and coefficient of thermal expansion), but how do you all translate that movement into a TU force per bearing?

Thanks for the help!
 
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