Development of Traffic Surcharge Models for Highway Structures

Models have been developed to represent the horizontal load surcharges on abutment walls, wing walls and other earth retaining structures due to traffic loads. These models have been developed based on an analysis of the global and local effects of the traffic loads in the UK National Annex to BS EN1991-2, and are different from the uniform pressure approach of BD37[1].

The recommended approach for abutments is based on the application of a horizontal uniform load together with knife-edged loads at the surface. For other structures such as wing walls a different is approach is needed, involving superposition of the effects of wheel loads. These models have been incorporated into PD6694-1[2] for structures subject to traffic loading and designed to BS EN1997-1.