Abstract:Aiming at the problems of calculating structural internal force of long cantilever slabs in highway bridges, the applicability and accuracy of four calculation methods of the specification-based approach, the Sawko formula method, the Baider-Bahkt formula method and the finite element method are systematically compared. By establishing the plate element models with different cantilever lengths (2.25 m, 2.75 m and 3.25 m) and combined with the load standards in the General Code for Design of Highway Bridges and Culverts (JTG D60—2015), the root bending moments under wheel loads are analyzed. The results indicate that due to ignoring the bidirectional force characteristics of the slab, the calculation result of the specification-based approach is 20%~30% smaller and is not applicable to long cantilever slabs. In contrast, the results of the Sawko formula, Baider-Bahkt formula, and finite element method are relatively close, in which the result of the finite element method is the most conservative, and is recommended as the basis for design. A simplified calculation method for estimating the total bending moment based on the rear axle bending moment is proposed, providing a practical reference for the design of long cantilever slabs. The conclusions show that as the cantilever length increases, the discrepancies among different calculation methods become more significant. In practical engineering, the computational accuracy and efficiency should be comprehensively considered to select an appropriate calculation method.