Which load combination is applicable to bridge structures exposed to winds in excess of 90 km/h?

• A. Strength I
• B. Strength II
• C. Strength III
• D. Strength IV

Answer: (C)

When wind is very strong, the wind load becomes the dominant action acting on the bridge, and the design code calls for a load combination that is more conservative to ensure safety under that extreme scenario. This means using a combination that treats a large wind demand as the primary load, while still including dead load and live load in a way that reflects their potential concurrence with the wind. Among the standard strength load combinations, the one designated for very high wind exposure provides this level of conservatism, making it the appropriate choice for winds exceeding 90 km/h. The other combinations are less protective for such extreme wind conditions because they assume lower wind effects or different loading interactions, which would not adequately capture the risk under very strong winds.