Abraham, Gebre (PhD)Binyam, Wesenseged2021-01-262023-11-112021-01-262023-11-112020-12http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/24820This thesis assesses the development of a new live load model for Ethiopian bridges that reflects the actual developments of the growing traffic. To have a clear idea of the research idea different countries' experiences and models were explored to have the best benchmark practice that helps to replicate to our context. The subject of interest of this paper is to explore the existing traffic loading model in Ethiopia and have contributed to its role in identifying the strength and weaknesses of this model. A Quantitative research design used to be applied for the study and efforts were made to use data from Static Weighing Stations obtained from the Ethiopian Roads Authority from three sites, which consists of 35,000 truck loading data in total. A simulation program was developed for the calculation of static load effects for simply supported bridges spanning up to 50m. Extreme 75-year loads obtained using different statistical extrapolation methods and the data was used to compare the loading effects generated from the actual trucks with the loading effects of the trucks used in the Ethiopian Bridge Design Manual. The result shows that the traffic loading effects obtained from the analysis vary from the currently adopted practice of the Ethiopian bridge design manual that demands to increase either the design load or the factor of safeties indicating the need for further research to reflect the existing reality.en-USBridgeTraffic LoadLoad EffectStatic Weighing StationsThesis