Chapter- 5 Loading on Bridges

IRC:6-2017
Standard Specification
and code of practice for
Road Bridges: Section II
Loads and Load combinations

As per IRC:6-2017 Following Loads are considered in Bridge Design.

Sr. No Load Type Description
1 Dead Load: (Permanent load from the structure's own weight)
The dead load carried by a girder or member shall consist of the portion of the weight
of the superstructure (and the fixed loads carried thereon) which is supported wholly
or in part by the girder or member including its own weight.

The following unit weights of materials shall be used in determining loads.

Material Unit Weight (ton/cubic meter)
Brickwork (pressed) in cement mortar 2.2
Brickwork (common) in cement mortar 1.9
Brickwork (common) in lime mortar 1.8
Concrete (asphalt) 2.2
Concrete (breeze) Ex. Of breeze-Cinder 1.4
Concrete (cement-plain) 2.5
Concrete (cement — plain with plums) 2.5
Concrete (cement-reinforced) 2.5
Concrete (cement-prestressed) 2.5
Concrete (lime-brick aggregate) 1.9
Concrete (lime-stone aggregate) 2.1

2: Live Load: The live load on the bridge, is moving load on the bridge throughout its length. The
moving loads are vehicles, Pedestrians etc. but it is difficult to select one vehicle or a group of
vehicles to design a safe bridge. So, IRC recommended some imaginary vehicles as live
loads which will give safe results against the any type of vehicle moving on the bridge. The
design live load shall consist of standard wheeled or tracked vehicles or trains of vehicles
or Special Vehicle (SV).

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The vehicle loadings are categorized into following Types and they are
1-IRC class AA loading (As per IRC:6-2014 But not mentioned in latest IRC:6-2017):
✓ This class of loading is based on heavy military vehicles likely to run on national
highways, state highways, and other specified areas such as industrial areas.
✓ These loadings are also adopted for bridges located within certain specified municipal
localities and along specified highways.
✓ Bridges designed for Class AA Loading should be checked for Class A Loading also.
✓ In Class AA loading, the following two types of vehicles are specified:
1-Tracked vehicles (Ex. Battle tank moved 2-Wheeled vehicles (heavy duty army truck)
on Chains) of 700 KN of 400 kN.
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Note: In Class AA loading-

Note: Now a days Class 70R loading is used in place of Class AA loading as per IRC:6-
2017.

2-IRC class 70R loading:

✓ The letter "R" indicates Revised Classification.
✓ This loading is to be normally adopted on all roads on which permanent bridges and
culverts are constructed.
✓ Bridges designed for Class 70R Loading should be checked for Class A Loading also.
✓ Three different types of vehicles are specified under IRC class 70R category.
1)-Tracked Vehicle of total load of 700 kN with two tracks each weighing 350 kN.
The tracked vehicle is almost similar to
that of Class AA, except the loaded
length being slightly more for Class 70R.

The contact length of the track is 4.57

m, the nose-to-tail length of the
vehicle is 7.92 m, contact
width=0.84m. (in class AA Tracked
loading Contact Length of Track is
3.6m , the nose-to-tail length of the
vehicle is 7.2 m ,contact width=0.85m)
2)-Bogie Axle Type Vehicle of 400 kN comprising 4 wheels only, each with a load of 100 kN.

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 Note: In class AA loading wheeled vehicles types, there are
8 vehicles (4 wheels having 37.5 KN and 4 wheels having 62.5
KN)

3)-Wheeled Vehicle with a train of vehicles (Length=15.22m) on 7 axles with a total load of
1000 kN.

Note: in class 70R loading:

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 ✓ 3-IRC class A loading: It is considered as standard live load of the bridge.
✓ This type of loading is used in the design of all permanent bridges and culverts.
✓ When we design a bridge using Class AA type /Class 70R loading, then it must be
checked for Class A loading also.
✓ The Class A loading was proposed by IRC with the objective of covering the worst
combination of axle spacing and axle loads likely to arise from the various types of
vehicles that are normally expected to use the road.
• The Class A loading consists of a train of wheel loads that is composed of a driving
vehicle and two trailers of specified axle spacings and loads. The heavy-duty truck
with two trailers transmits loads from 8 axles varying from a minimum of 27 kN to a
maximum of 114 kN.
• Class A loading is a 554 kN train (Total length=20.3m) of wheeled vehicles on 8 axles
• The nose-to-tail distance between successive trains shall not be less than 18.5 m.

(in figure load in Tonn and Distance is in meter)

4-IRC class B loading: This type of loading is used to design temporary bridges like Timber
Bridge etc and it is considered as light loading.
✓ The nose-to-tail distance between successive trains shall not be less than 18.5 m.

(in figure load in Tonn and Distance is in meter)

• The heavy-duty truck with two trailers transmits loads from 8 axles varying from a
minimum of 16 kN to a maximum of 68 kN.
• Class B loading is a 332 kN train (Total length=20.3m) of wheeled vehicles on 8 axles.

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Note: Concept of Special Vehicle as per IRC:6-2017
IRC has introduced new Special Vehicle (SV) class loading for select corridor where
passage of trailer vehicle carrying stator units, turbine, heavy equipment & machinery
etc. may occur.

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