The curvilinear nature of box girder bridges along with their complex deformation patterns and stress fields have led designers to adopt approximate and conservative methods for their analyses and design. Recent literature on straight and curved box girder bridges has dealt with analytical formulations to better understand the behavior of these complex structural systems. Few authors have undertaken experimental studies to investigate the accuracy of existing methods. This paper presents highlights of references pertaining to straight and curved box girder bridges in the form of single-cell, multiple-spine, and multicell cross sections. The literature survey presented herein deals with: (1) elastic analysis, and (2) experimental studies on the elastic response of box girder bridges.

The objective of this paper is to provide highlights of the most important references related to the development of current guide specifications for the design of straight and curved box-girder bridges. Subjects discussed in this review include (1) different box-girder bridge configurations; (2) construction issues; (3) deck design; (4) load distribution; (5) deflection and camber; (6) cross-bracing requirements; (7) end diaphragms; (8) thermal effects; (9) vibration characteristics; (10) impact factors; (11) seismic response; (12) ultimate load-carrying capacity; (13) buckling of individual components forming the box cross section; (14) fatigue; and (15) curvature limitations provided by the codes for treating a curved bridge as a straight one. The literature survey presented herein encompasses (1) the construction phase; (2) load distribution; (3) dynamic response; and (4) ultimate load response of box-girder bridges.

The results from a parametric study on the impact factors for 180 curved continuous composite multiple-box girder bridges are presented. Expressions for the impact factors for tangential flexural stresses, deflection, shear forces and reactions are deduced for AASHTO truck loading. The finite-element method was utilized to model the bridges as three-dimensional structures. The vehicle axle used in the analysis was simulated as a pair of concentrated forces moving along the concrete deck in a circumferential path with a constant speed. The effects of bridge configurations, loading positions, and vehicle speed on the impact factors were examined. Bridge configurations included span length, span-to-radius of curvature ratio, number of lanes, and number of boxes. The effect of the mass of the vehicle on the dynamic response of the bridges is also investigated. The data generated from the parametric study and the deduced expressions for the impact factors would enable bridge engineers to design curved continuo...