Study on low temperature performance of Gussasphalt on steel decks with hard bitumen

Using a Hamburg wheel-track test device, the resistance to rutting of Gussasphalt is tested and compared. Gussasphalt with hard bitumen has good resistance to rutting. The related resistance abilities to cracking at low temperature of Gussasphalt are tested and compared through flexural experiments and the composite structure fatigue test with temperature dropping. Gussasphalt with high performance polymer modified bitumen has a longer fatigue life and a lower breaking temperature; they can be used in the future surfaces for steel bridge decks in Germany.

Interfacial behaviors of epoxy asphalt surfacing on steel decks

A model for predicting the interface behavior of epoxy asphalt and steel composite beam under negative bending is developed incorporating partial interaction theory. Interfacial slips between the steel deck and the epoxy asphalt surfacing are included in the model with a new parameter of membrane stiffness. A series of analytical equations based on this model are derived to calculate slip and strain at the interface. Also, a numerical procedure for calculating the load responses of simply supported composite beams with concentrated force at the mid-span is established and verified with two samples. Characters of slip and strain at the interface, sensitivities of tensile stress and interface shear stress with material parameters are studied. It can be concluded that interfacial effects decrease the bending stiffness of the composite; hard and stiff bonding material is better for asphalt surfacing layer working at normal to low temperatures, and the damage of the asphalt surfacing layer will be accelerated with the damage accumulation of the bonding coat.

Dynamic analysis of pavement on long span steel bridge decks

In order to analyze the dynamic response of pavement on long-span steel bridge decks under random dynamic loads, the irregularities of the pavement surface is simulated with the power spectrum density function, and the random load is calculated according to a vehicle vibration equation of vehicle model. The mechanical responses of three different cases are compared by using a transient dynamic analysis method, i. e., under random dynamic load, constant moving load and dead load respectively. The results indicate that the mid-span of two adjacent transversal diaphragms is the worst load position. The maximum vertical displacement and the maximum transversal tensile stress of the pavement are 1.33 times and 1.39 times as much as those when only considering the impact coefficients. This study not only provides a theoretical basis for the mixture design and structural design of pavement, but also puts forward higher demand on the construction and maintenance for steel deck pavement.

Crack stop holes in steel bridge decks:Drilling method and effects

Force analysis using a compact tension model, as recommended by ASTM, was carried out on a crack stop hole. The stress before, and after, drilling the hole was compared in terms of stress concentration and stress gradient. The optimum drilling location and diameter were studied through analysis of different locations and diameters. By analyzing the effects of flank holes and an additional hole, drilling advice was proposed and fatigue testing of the cracks in a steel bridge deck with a crack stop hole was conducted. The results show that the stress at the crack tip with a crack stop hole decreased, and the major principal stress around the hole was distributed accordingly. The optimum position of the crack stop hole centre was where the centre of the crack stop hole was situated behind the crack and the hole edge coincided with the crack tip. Therefore, hole diameters larger than 8 mm, or those weakening the section by 10%, were suggested as the best diameters. In terms of multi-hole crack stopping, a flank hole was not recommended. The optimum horizontal position of flank holes was at a distance of 1/4 of a single hole diameter from, and in front of, the single hole. Besides, the experiment showed that crack stop hole could only prevent cracks from growing and had no influence on crack growth rate.

Real-Time Detection of Cracks on Concrete Bridge Decks Using Deep Learning in the Frequency Domain

This paper presents a vision-based crack detection approach for concrete bridge decks using an integrated one-dimensional convolutional neural network(1D-CNN)and long short-term memory(LSTM)method in the image frequency domain.The so-called 1D-CNN-LSTM algorithm is trained using thousands of images of cracked and non-cracked concrete bridge decks.In order to improve the training efficiency,images are first transformed into the frequency domain during a preprocessing phase.The algorithm is then calibrated using the flattened frequency data.LSTM is used to improve the performance of the developed network for long sequence data.The accuracy of the developed model is 99.05%,98.9%,and 99.25%,respectively,for training,validation,and testing data.An implementation framework is further developed for future application of the trained model for large-scale images.The proposed 1D-CNN-LSTM method exhibits superior performance in comparison with existing deep learning methods in terms of accuracy and computation time.The fast implementation of the 1D-CNN-LSTM algorithm makes it a promising tool for real-time crack detection.

A Simplified Nonlinear Model of Vertical Vortex-Induced Force on Box Decks for Predicting Stable Amplitudes of Vortex-Induced Vibrations

Wind-tunnel tests of a large-scale sectional model with synchronous measurements of force and vibration responses were carried out to investigate the nonlinear behaviors of vertical vortex-induced forces （VIFs） on three typical box decks （i.e., fully closed box, centrally slotted box, and semi-closed box）. The mechanisms of the onset, development, and self-limiting phenomenon of the vertical vortex-induced vibration （VlV） were also explored by analyzing the energy evolution of different vertical VIF components and their contributions to the vertical VIV responses. The results show that the nonlinear components of the vertical VIF often differ from deck to deck; the most important components of the vertical VIF, governing the stable amplitudes of the vertical VIV responses, are the linear and cubic components of velocity contained in the self-excited aerodynamic damping forces. The former provides a constant negative damping ratio to the vibration system and is thus the essential power driving the development of the VIV amplitude, while the latter provides a positive damping ratio proportional to the square of the vibration velocity and is actually the inherent factor making the VIV amplitude self-limiting. On these bases, a universal simplified nonlinear mathematical model of the vertical VIF on box decks of bridges is presented and verified in this paper; it can be used to predict the stable amplitudes of the vertical VIV of long-span bridges with satisfactory accuracy.

Effect of crack-closure treatment on fatigue durability of cracked rib-to-deck welded joints in steel bridge decks

To evaluate the effect of treating long cracks with the impact crack-closure retrofit(ICR)technique,three rib-to-deck welded specimens with a crack length of about 100 mm were tested.The metallographic structure,crack section,crack propagation life,and stress variation were analyzed.Finite-element models were also developed,and some optimal values of certain parameters are suggested according to the simulated results.The results show that new crack sources are generated on both sides of the ICR-treated region because of the stress distribution.The fatigue lives of cracked specimens with long cracks are significantly improved by the technique.Considerable residual compressive stress is also induced,and so it is suggested that the optimal impact angle to be applied to real bridges should be 70°.The stress at the weld root is distributed uniformly with the crack closed,and the optimal crack-closure depth is 4 mm.To evaluate the effect of different crack-closure depths in tests,it is recommended that a hot-spot stress method which is extrapolated by three reference points should be adopted.

Fatigue Performance of Orthotropic Steel Decks in Super-Wide Steel Box Girder Considering Transverse Distribution of Vehicle Load

This study presents an investigation on the fatigue analysis of four types of details on orthotropic steel decks(OSDs)for a cable-stayed super-wide steel box girder bridge based on finite-element analysis(FEA)with vehicle transverse distribution model(VTDM).A high-fidelity 3D FE model verified by the static load test is established to satisfy the fatigue analysis accuracy.The stress behavior of super-wide steel box girders under the vehicle load at different lane locations is investigated.Then,considering the effect of VTDM,the fatigue life analysis of four typical details is performed using the Miner cumulative damage rule.The results show that the vehicle transverse location has a great influence on the stress behavior of details with sharp influence surface,and the stress ranges in the outermost lane are larger than those in other lanes,indicating that the details of OSD in the outermost lane are prone to fatigue.The fatigue life analysis indicates that the diaphragm cutout is more prone to fatigue than other details,which should be carefully treated in bridge maintenance.

Design methods of headed studs for composite decks of through steel bridges in high-speed railway

Aimed at two typical composite floor systems of through steel bridges in high speed railway,design methods of headed studs were put forward for different composite members through comparing and analyzing the structure,mechanical characteristics and transmission routes of deck loads.The simplified calculation models were brought out for the stud design of the longitudinal girders and transverse girders in the composite floor system of Nanjing Dashengguan Yangtze River Bridge (NDB).Studs were designed and arranged by taking the middle panel of 336 m main span for example.The results show that under deck loads,the longitudinal girders in the composite floor system of through steel bridges are in tension-bending state,longitudinal shear force on the interface is caused by both longitudinal force of "The first mechanical system" and vertical bending of "The second mechanical system",and studs can be arranged with equal space in terms of the shear force in range of 0.2d (where d is the panel length) on the top ends.Transverse girders in steel longitudinal and transverse girders-concrete slab composite deck are in compound-bending state,and out-of-plane bending has to be taken into account in the stud design.In orthotropic integral steel deck-concrete slab composite deck,out-of-plane bending of transverse girders is very small so that it can be neglected,and studs on the orthotropic integral steel deck can be arranged according to the structural requirements.The above design methods and simplified calculation models have been applied in the stud design of NDB.

Experimental Evaluation of Flexural Behavior of Stress Laminated Timber Decks

Stress laminated timber(SLT)deck is assembled using timber(umber or glulam)components placed side by side and stressed together,which has the advantages of easy prefabrication and good cost performance.This work pre-sented an experimental investigation of bending tests per formed on SLT slabs.Several parameters,including pre-stress levels,distance of pre-stressing bars,and the existence of self tapping screw(STS)reinforcement,were taken into consideration.To reinforce the compressive property of timber perpendicular to the grain,the STSs were placed under the anchor plate of the pre-stressed bars.The experimental results were analyzed and discussed in terms of failure modes,ultimate bearing capacity,ultimate strain,and bending sifness.It was found that the SLT slab showed satisfactory composite action as well as resid ual bearing capacity.The pre stress levels showed an obvious effect on the load bearing capacity and relatively slight effect on the bending stiffness.

Shear Behavior of Open Steel Tube Connectors in Steel⁃UHPC Composite Decks

Steel and ultra⁃high performance concrete(UHPC)composite decks are effective at reducing fatigue cracking and asphalt pavement damage.The shear behavior of innovative open steel tube(OST)connectors in steel⁃UHPC composite decks was investigated by conducting push⁃out tests.The test parameter is the presence of reinforcement in the deck.The load⁃slip curves and shear behavior of the push⁃out specimens were obtained and discussed.The test results indicate that as compared with plain concrete specimens,the limit slip of reinforced specimens decreased by 32%and the shear stiffness increased by 10%,but the ultimate shear capacity was almost the same.The use of UHPC influenced the failure process as it was observed that the OST connector was sheared off at its lower semi⁃tube,followed by the pull⁃out failure of the upper semi⁃tube.A finite element model was verified by tests and was then used to analyze the deformation and failure behaviors of the composite deck with open tubes.The model demonstrates that there is a stress concentration zone at the connector root,and the lower semi⁃tube is the main component that is subject to loads.

Penetration of the Stiffener Web to Deck Plate Weld in Orthotropic Plated Bridge Decks

This paper reports the results of experimental research the longitudinal stiffeners in an orthotropic plated bridge deck on concerning the connection between the deck plate and the web of a microscopic scale. An important number of test specimens of a weld are studied with the help of a video microscope, to detect the efficiency of the root of the weld. The second part of the paper is concerned with parametric analysis of the lack of weld penetration by using accurate finite element modelling. The results demonstrate that the weld quality often required can not always be assured, which surely has important consequence on the stresses in the weld and the fatigue resistance.

Temperature field prediction of steel-concrete composite decks using TVFEMD-stacking ensemble algorithm

This research aims to develop an advanced deep learning-based ensemble algorithm,utilizing environmental temperature and solar radiation as feature factors,to conduct hourly temperature field predictions for steel-concrete composite decks(SCCDs).The proposed model comprises feature parameter lag selection,two non-stationary time series decomposition methods(empirical mode decomposition(EMD)and time-varying filtering-based empirical mode decomposition(TVFEMD)),and a stacking ensemble prediction model.To validate the proposed model,five machine learning(ML)models(random forest(RF),support vector regression(SVR),multilayer perceptron(MLP),gradient boosting regression(GBR),and extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost))were tested as base learners and evaluations were conducted within independent,mixed,and ensemble frameworks.Finally,predictions are made based on engineering cases.The results indicate that consideration of lag variables and modal decomposition can significantly improve the prediction performance of learners,and the stacking framework,which combines multiple learners,achieves superior prediction results.The proposed method demonstrates a high degree of predictive robustness and can be applied to statistical analysis of the temperature field in SCCDs.Incorporating time lag features helps account for the delayed heat dissipation phenomenon in concrete,while decomposition techniques assist in feature extraction.

Heating properties of bridge decks using hydronic heating systems with internal or external circulation tubes

A comparison analysis of the heating properties of the hydronic heating system of bridge decks with external(exchange tubes installed at the bottom of the existing bridge deck with voids inside)or internal(exchange tubes embedded in pavement of the newly built bridge deck)tubes was carried out through field tests.Two heating methods(constant heating power and constant inlet fluid temperature)were used to analyze the heat exchange flux and the temperature increments as well as thermally induced stress of the slab.Numerical simulation was conducted to model the bridge deck heating process to analyze the temperature distribution of the bridge surface.The results shows that the heat exchange flux are the same under the same constant heating powers for the two embedded tube position heating systems;the maximum temperature increment of the bridge deck surface obtained by the external heating system is 0.46 times that obtained by the internal heating system;the maximum thermally induced stress caused by the external heating is 20.4%of the concrete strength(19.1 MPa),which is much higher than that caused by the internal heating under the same heating powers.The thermal efficiencies of the external and internal heating systems are approximately 24.4%and 47.9%,respectively.Under the same constant inlet temperatures,the temperature increment of the bridge deck caused by the external heating is 20.4%of that of the internal heating.

A discussion about the limitations of the Eurocode’s high-speed load model for railway bridges

High-speed railway bridges are subjected to normative limitations concerning maximum permissible deck accelerations.For the design of these structures,the European norm EN 1991-2 introduces the high-speed load model(HSLM)—a set of point loads intended to include the effects of existing high-speed trains.Yet,the evolution of current trains and the recent development of new load models motivate a discussion regarding the limits of validity of the HSLM.For this study,a large number of randomly generated load models of articulated,conventional,and regular trains are tested and compared with the envelope of HSLM effects.For each type of train,two sets of 100,000 load models are considered:one abiding by the limits of the EN 1991-2 and another considering wider limits.This comparison is achieved using both a bridge-independent metric(train signatures)and dynamic analyses on a case study bridge(the Canelas bridge of the Portuguese Railway Network).For the latter,a methodology to decrease the computational cost of moving loads analysis is introduced.Results show that some theoretical load models constructed within the stipulated limits of the norm can lead to effects not covered by the HSLM.This is especially noted in conventional trains,where there is a relation with larger distances between centres of adjacent vehicle bogies.

Enhanced air-coupled impact echo technique by phase analysis of signals from multiple sensors

This paper presents an air-coupled impact echo(IE)technique that relies on the phase spectrum of the collected data to find the frequencies corresponding to the reflections from delaminations.The proposed technique takes advantage of the fact that the IE compression wave is not a propagating wave,but it is the 1st order symmetrical(S1)mode Lamb wave at zero group velocity(S1-ZGV).Therefore,it searches the phase spectra of the data collected by multiple sensors to locate the frequency corresponding to the lowest phase difference.As a result,the technique reduces the effect of propagating waves,including the direct acoustic wave and ambient noise.It is named the Constant Phase IE(CPIE).The performance of the CPIE is experimentally compared with the regular amplitude spectrum-based IE technique and two other multisensor IE techniques.The CPIE shows a performance advantage,especially in a noisy environment.

Effects of air relief openings on the mitigation of solitary wave forces on bridge decks

For inverted T-type bridge decks, the air entrapped in the chambers between adjacent girders could increase the wave forces and lead to the destruction of the bridge decks. This paper studies the effects of the air relief openings (ARO) on the mitigation of the solitary wave-induced forces on the bridge decks. Hydrodynamic experiments are conducted for three inverted T-type decks with four, five, and six girders with different wave properties and deck clearances. The open source computational fluid dynamics toolbox OpenFOAM is adopted to conduct numerical simulations for the effects of the AROs. Since the numerical results correlate well with the measurements, the mechanism of the wave-structure interaction can be revealed by the numerical flow fields. Furthermore, the relationship between the shape and the volume of the ARO and the wave forces on the bridge decks, as well as the contribution of each ARO to the effect of the wave force mitigation, is also obtained from the numerical results of the OpenFOAM. Experimental and numerical results demonstrate that the AROs could effectively reduce the vertical wave forces on the bridge decks. The effects of the AROs increase with the increase of the volume of the ARO, while the shape of the ARO has no effect on the reduction of the wave forces.

Design and Engineering of Urban Interchange Ramp Bridge Structure

This paper analyzes the structural design of an urban interchange ramp bridge from four aspects,which are the superstructure,pier structure,foundation structure,and deck structure design to summarize the structural design ideas of this urban interchange ramp bridge,which can be used as a reference for future construction of the same bridge.

Positive and negative shear lag behaviors of composite twin-girder decks with varying cross-section

In steel-concrete composite twin-girder decks, wide concrete slab would undergo significant shear lag warping effect, including positive and negative. Some researchers have investigated the positive shear lag of composite decks by means of one-dimensional line model, while the studies on the negative shear lag have not yet been reported until now. In this study, a new one-dimensional analytical model of composite twin-girder decks is first proposed based on the model proposed by Dezi et al. Besides slab shear lag effect and partial connection at slab-girder interface which have been included in the model of Dezi et al., the particularity of the proposed model relies on its ability to account for variation characteristic of cross-section. Verification of the analytical model is later conducted through comparison of results from the analytical analysis and elaborate FE analysis for a simply supported composite deck with increasing depth and a two-span continuous one with decreasing depth. Finally, three kinds of structural forms of composite twin-girder decks, including cantilever, simply supported and continuous decks, are selected to carry out the analysis of positive and negative shear lag behaviors by means of the analytical model. The influences of cross-sectional variation characteristic and load type on positive and negative shear lag behaviors are mainly investigated. Additionally, a new definition on effective width for considering simultaneously positive and negative shear lag behaviors is proposed. The results from the proposed analytical model and EC4 specification are compared to provide suggestions for designers and checkers. In this study, the proposed analytical model can provide a powerful numerical tool for researchers to conduct the further investigation, and the analysis on shear lag and effective width can assist in design analysis of composite twin-girder decks.

Revisiting aerodynamic admittance functions of bridge decks

A framework was proposed to identify a comprehensive set of aerodynamic admittance functions for bridge decks. The contributions of the cross-spectra between longitudinal and vertical wind velocity components and between turbulence components and gust-induced forces were embedded in the identification procedure. To facilitate application of the identified functions in engineering practice, the concept of an equivalent aerodynamic admittance function was introduced and numerically validated. The equivalent aerodynamic admittance functions of a set of streamlined and bluff cross sections were identified experimentally in a wind tunnel. Buffeting analysis of a bridge deck was carried out and the response predicted using the identified aerodynamic admittance functions compared well with the measured response. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed to delineate the influence of aerodynamic and structural parameters on the buffeting response, thereby demonstrating the significance of the proposed identification framework.