This pamphlet paraphrases the provisions in 23

This pamphlet paraphrases the provisions in 23 U.S.C. 127 and 23 CFR658 for the sake of clarity. Irl case of a dispute, the statue arld regulatiorls take precederlce. Previous editiorls of this pamphlet, entitled Bridge Gross Weight Formula (April 1984) arld Bridge Formula Weights (Jarluary 1994), remairl valid. Neither the Bridge Formula rlor arly resultirlg maximum gross weight values (table erllries) has beerl charlged.

U,S, Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Office of Freight Management and Operations Phone: 202-366-9210 Fax: 202-366-3302 Web site: August 2006 FHWA-HOP-OO-l05

Bridge

Formula

Weights

With a few exceptions noled in this pamphlet, the Bridge Formula establishes the maximum weight any set of axles on a motor vehicle may carryon the Interstate highway system. This pamphlet describes the Bridge Formula, why it was established, and how it is used.

What Is It?

Congress enacted 1I1e Bridge Formu~ in 1975 to limit tI1e weight-Io-Iength ratio of a vehicle crossing a bridge. Th is is accomplished either by spreading weight over addiliOllal axles or by increasing the distance between axles.

Compliance with Bridge Formula weighllim its is determ ined by using the foHowing formula:

[ JJL+ W=500

12N + 36]

N-'

W = 1I1e overall gross weight on any group of two or mQ(e consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds.

l = the distance in feel between the outer axles of ally groop of two Of more consecutive axles.

N= the number of axles in the group under consideration.

In addition to Bridge Formula weight lim its. Federal ~w states

that single axles are limited to 20,000 pounds, and axles closer than 96 inches apart (tandem axles) are limited to 34,000 pounds. Gross veh icle weight is limited to SO,OOO pounds (23 U.S.C.127).

Is the formula Necessary?

Bridges on the Interstate System highways are designed to support a wide variety of vehicles and their expected loads. As trucks grew heavier in the 1950s and I 960s, something had to

J~ E:::::::::] Long 80,000 lb. Truck

00

oollQ~

~!~/1/1X"'~~!M2l

D~D~ ~

IAI

Short 80,000 lb. Truck

I=J~

00 0 olio'

L

IBI

J ~~----" Figure 1

be done to protect bridges.The solution was to link aJJowable weights to the number and spacing of axles.

Axle spacing is as important as axle weight in designing

bridges. In Figure lA, the stress 0!1 bridge members as a

longer truck roJJs across is much less than that caused by a short vehicle as shown in Figure 1B, even thoogh both trucks have the same total weight and individual axle weights. The weight of the longer vehicle is spread out, while the weight of the shorter vehicle is concentrated on a smaJJer area.

The weight on varioos axle configurations must be checked to determine compliance with tf1e Bridge fofmula. Three definitions are needed to use the Bridge Formula correctly.

Gross Weight-the weight of a vehicle or vehicle combination and any load thereon. The Federal gross weight limit on the Interstate System is 80,000 pounds un less the Bridge fQrmula dictates a lower weight limit.

2

,

Single-Axle Weight-The total weight on one or more axles whose centers are spaced not mOfe 40 inches apart. The Federal single-axle weight limit on the Interstate System is 20,000 rxJunds.

Tandem-Axle Weight-The total weight on two or more consecutive axles whose centers are spaced mOfe Ihan 40 inches apart but not mOfe Ihan 96 inches apart. The Federallandemaxle weight limit on the Interstate System is 34,000 pounds,

Interstate System weight limits in some States may be higher ti1an the figures noted above due to "grandfather" rights. When tl1e Interstate System axle and gross weight lim its were first adopted in 1956, and amended in 1975. States were allowed to keep or "grandfather" weight limits Ihal were higher.

Bridge Formula calculations yield a series of weights (Bridge Table, pages 5-6). It is important to note that the single-axle weight limit replaces the Bridge Fofmula weigh t limit on axles not more than 40 inches apart, and the tandem-axle weight limit replaces the Bridge Formula weight limit for axles over 40 bllt not mOl"e than 96 inches apart. At 97 inches apart, for

example, two axles may carry 38,000 pounds (Figure 2A), and tt1ree axles may carry 42,000 pounds, as shown in Figure 2B.

(A)

? @

I~I

'= ",

?

38,000 Ibs.

(8)

??@

I~I

,

.I

?

42,000 Ibs.

3

Figure 2

,

"""'I

Federal law states that any two or more consecutive axles may flOt exceed tt1e weight computed by the Bridge Formula even though single axles, tandem axles, and gross weight are

within legal limits. As a result, the axle group that includes tt1e entire truck-sometimes called tt1e "outer bridge" groupmust comply witt1 the Bri dge Formula. However, interior combinations of axles, such as the "tractor bridge" (axles 1, 2, and 3) and "trailer bridge" (axles 2, 3, 4, and 5), must also comply with weights computed by tt1e Bridge Formu la (Figure 3).

rr=

L00

00I~1

Figure 3

Figure 3 stlows the most common vehicle checked fOf compliance with weight limit requirements. Although tt1e Bridge fQrmula applies to each combinatioo of two or more axles, experience shows that a~le combinatioos 1 tt1rough 3, 1 through 5, and 2 tt1rough 5 are critical and must be checked. If tt1ese combinations are foond to be satisfactory, tt1en al l of the others 011 this type of vehicle normally will be satisfactory.

The vehicle witt1 weights and axle dimensions shown in Figure 4 is used to illustrate a Bridge Formula check.

( I 1- ') Gross Weight - 80,000 Ibs.

oo~ 00

1 1 t 17'r Ibs.

17 01. ,0,

,.17,000 Ibs.

17,000 Ibs. ? 12,000 tis.

35 fl. 1-?1IOft -'

?

51 fl.

?

Figure 4

\..

~

4

Permissible Gross Loads lor Vehicles in Regular Operalion '

Based on weight 'onnula

Distance in IN! (IJ be!_ the extr_ 01 any gn;l'P of 2 Of mote consec::uINe axlel

~-- Ma.imum load in pounds carried 00

's--.{~?.m.. L Ns

_

7 ??

3&4)

8 ????????

M1n ..... MIu .... 9 ........ .

""1 2.................. .

13.. . 14 ................... 15 .. . 16 ...... " ........... 17 .. . 18...... , .. ""... 19 e.~

20 ISM paoge 7)

21.. 22 ... 23.. . 24 .......... "",,... 2 5.. . 26 .......... . 27 ... 28 29 ................... 30 31. .................. 3 2 .. . 33 .. .

,.3<

35......

37....... 38 39.

""4 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 3.. . 44 ....... _........... 45.. . 46....... _. " ....... 47 ... 48...... "." ........ 4 9.. . 50...... ,' """... SL 52 ................ 53 .. . 54 ......._.. ""... 5 5.. . 56 .. . 5 7 .. . 58 5 9 ... 60

2ULES

3 ................
................

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