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Abstract
The main objective of this study is to investigate the live load distribution factors for precast concrete U - girder bridges. AASHTO - LRFD specifications provide empirical equations to calculate the distribution factors. Little information is available about the accuracy of these equations for this type of bridges. Therefore, an extensive parametric study, using the finite element modeling, was conducted to investigate the parameters that affect the live load distribution factors, and the accuracy of AASHTO - LRFD equations for determining these factors. The parameters considered in this study were bridge span length, girder spacing, number of girders, and number of lanes. A total of 56 prototype bridges were analyzed, using SAP2000 V14.2 software, to evaluate both moment and shear distribution factors due to the effect of AASHTO - LRFD live load model (HL - 93). The effect of each parameter on the values of the distribution factors was investigated