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This educational application supplements, but does not replace, the official AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, applicable state DOT manuals, project specifications, and professional engineering judgment.

Graded quiz

Chapter 4 — Bridge Analysis and Structural Modeling (15 questions)

Chapter 4 — Bridge Analysis and Structural Modeling (15 questions)

20 questions · PE-exam format · 70% to pass · attempts save to your progress record when signed in.

Work each item to the requested precision. Use the Show clue button only after an honest attempt — hints reveal the AASHTO section and setup, not the answer.

  1. Q1

    The stiffness (K) method for grid analysis of a bridge deck assembles:

  2. Q2

    Simple beam, EI constant. w = 3.0 klf, L = 60 ft, E = 29,000 ksi, I = 22,000 in⁴. Compute midspan deflection δ = 5wL⁴/(384 EI) in inches.

    in

    Simple span — uniform load

    w = 3 k/ftL = 60 ft
  3. Q3

    For a two-span continuous beam with equal spans and uniform w, the moment at the interior support is:

    Two-span continuous

    L = 60 ftL = 60 ft
  4. Q4

    Two-span continuous, L = 80 ft each, w = 4 klf. Compute interior support M (k-ft, magnitude).

    k-ft
  5. Q5

    The AASHTO §4.6.2.2 approximate distribution-factor method requires:

  6. Q6

    Longitudinal stiffness parameter K_g = n(I + A e_g²). For n = 8, I = 12,000 in⁴, A = 30 in², e_g = 30 in, compute K_g (in⁴).

    in⁴
  7. Q7

    Müller-Breslau's principle states the influence line for a reaction/force is proportional to the:

    Influence line — reaction at A

    AB1.00
  8. Q8

    Simple beam, P = 20 kip at a = 15 ft from left, L = 40 ft. Compute reaction R_A (kip).

    kip

    Simple span — point load

    P = 20 kipa = 15 ftb = 25 ft
  9. Q9

    Same case: compute maximum moment under the load (k-ft).

    k-ft

    Simple span — point load

    P = 20 kipa = 15 ftb = 25 ft
  10. Q10

    A grillage analysis for a slab-on-girder bridge models the deck slab as:

  11. Q11

    Refined analysis under §4.6.3 is preferred when:

  12. Q12

    Cantilever, P = 25 kip at tip, L = 10 ft. Compute fixed-end moment (k-ft).

    k-ft

    Cantilever

    P = 25 kipL = 10 ft
  13. Q13

    Same cantilever: compute tip deflection δ = PL³/(3EI). E = 29,000 ksi, I = 800 in⁴. Report in inches.

    in

    Cantilever

    P = 25 kipL = 10 ft
  14. Q14

    The service-limit-state deflection limit for a vehicular bridge (optional) is:

  15. Q15

    Live-load deflection L = 90 ft, computed δ = 1.05 in. Check against L/800 limit — report the limit in inches.

    in
  16. Q16

    Torsional stiffness J for a hollow closed box section (single cell) is best given by:

  17. Q17

    Box: A_o = 200 in², perimeter/t sum = 200. Compute J (in⁴) using Bredt-Batho: J = 4A_o²/∮(ds/t).

    in⁴
  18. Q18

    Effective flange width per §4.6.2.6 for interior girders equals:

  19. Q19

    Cross-section a (concrete beam + slab): interior girder S = 8 ft, span L = 60 ft, K_g/(12Lt_s³) = 1.0. Compute one-lane DF for moment: DF = 0.06 + (S/14)^0.4 (S/L)^0.3 × [K_g/(12Lt_s³)]^0.1.

    -
  20. Q20

    For a straight steel bridge, the AASHTO approximate live-load distribution factor method applies to how many girders minimum?

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Bridge Engineering and Design Using AASHTO LRFD

Graduate interactive textbook for civil engineering students. Aligned to AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 10th Edition (2024).

Regional focus

Maryland & Mid-Atlantic — MDOT SHA, VDOT, PennDOT, FHWA.

Educational notice

This educational application supplements, but does not replace, the official AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, applicable state DOT manuals, project specifications, and professional engineering judgment.

© 2026 Dr. Steve Efe, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.

Developed for engineering education. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use is prohibited.

v1.0 · Reference edition · Aligned to AASHTO LRFD, 10th Edition (2024)