Application of LRB isolation technology in continuous girder bridges

This paper summarizes the superiority of lead-rubber beating （LRB） continuous girder bridges. The research method for isolation performance is discussed when pile-soil interaction is considered. By the finite element method and self-compiling program, a systematic study of the reliability of LRB continuous girder bridges is given by the use of different indicators, including the riding comfort of the LRB system, the pounding and dynamic stability when the LRB system is subjected to seismic excitations, and the reliability of the LRB system when subjected to other common horizontal loads. The results show that the LRB system has obvious advantages over the traditional continuous girder structure. The LRB isolation effect remains good even when pile-soil interaction is considered; the vertical rigidity of the LRB guarantees desirable riding comfort. The LRB demonstrates good reliability when subjected to the effects of braking, wind loads and temperature. However, it is also pointed out that the pounding of the LRB system subjected to earthquakes must be avoided, and the dynamic stability may be reduced when the LRB system has higher piers and generates a larger displacement in a strong earthquake. Useful advice and guidance are proposed for engineering application.

Study of the seismic performance of expansion double spherical seismic isolation bearings for continuous girder bridges

The development of an expansion double spherical seismic isolation (DSSI) bearing by modifying the fixed DSSI bearing is described in this paper. The expansion DSSI bearing is characterized by its good energy dissipation and horizontal displacement capacity and has been successfully integrated into the seismic design of several important engineering projects in China. It is envisioned to be used as a substitute for ordinary expansion bearings in continuous girder bridges to distribute the longitudinal earthquake action among all the piers. Its development, configuration and working mechanism are introduced first. The test method and the seismic performance of an expansion DSSI bearing are then briefly described. A theoretical analysis followed by a numerical analysis for an actual four-span continuous girder bridge are provided as an example, and it is concluded that the expansion DSSI bearing can be integrated into the seismic design of continuous girder bridges.

Numerical Simulation for Progressive Collapse of Continuous Girder Bridge Subjected to Ship Impact

The three-stage simulation method based on LS-DYNA was introduced in this study to simulate the progressive collapse of a continuous girder bridge after a ship-bridge collision. The pile-soil dynamic interaction and the initial stress and deformation of the whole bridge before the collision were considered. By analyzing the damage, deformation, stress distribution and collapse process of the whole bridge, the results show that the displacement response of the cap beam lags behind the pile cap. The response order of the whole bridge's components depends on their distances from the collision region. The plastic deformation of soil around piles has a positive effect on delaying the further increase in the displacement of piles. The impacted pier's losing stability and its superstructure's excessive deformation are the main reasons leading to the progressive collapse of the continuous girder bridge.

Seismic performance of fabricated continuous girder bridge with grouting sleeve-prestressed tendon composite connections

The seismic performance of a fully fabricated bridge is a key factor limiting its application.In this study,a fiber element model of a fabricated concrete pier with grouting sleeve-prestressed tendon composite connections was built and verified.A numerical analysis of three types of continuous girder bridges was conducted with different piers:a cast-in-place reinforced concrete pier,a grouting sleeve-fabricated pier,and a grouting sleeve-prestressed tendon composite fabricated pier.Furthermore,the seismic performance of the composite fabricated pier was investigated.The results show that the OpenSees fiber element model can successfully simulate the hysteresis behavior and failure mode of the grouted sleeve-fabricated pier.Under traditional non-near-fault ground motions,the pier top displacements of the grouting sleeve-fabricated pier and the composite fabricated pier were less than those of the cast-in-place reinforced concrete pier.The composite fabricated pier had a good self-centering capability.In addition,the plastic hinge zones of the grouting sleeve-fabricated pier and the composite fabricated pier shifted to the joint seam and upper edge of the grouting sleeve,respectively.The composite fabricated pier with optimal design parameters has good seismic performance and can be applied in high-intensity seismic areas;however,the influence of pile-soil interaction on its seismic performance should not be ignored.

Field validation of UHPC layer in negative moment region of steel-concrete composite continuous girder bridge

Improving the cracking resistance of steel-normal concrete(NC)composite beams in the negative moment region is one of the main tasks in designing continuous composite beam(CCB)bridges due to the low tensile strength of the NC deck at pier supports.This study proposed an innovative structural configuration for the negative bending moment region in a steel-concrete CCB bridge with the aid of ultrahigh performance concrete(UHPC)layer.In order to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of this new UHPC jointed structure in the negative bending moment region,field load testing was conducted on a newly built full-scale bridge.The newly designed structural configuration was described in detail regarding the structural characteristics(cracking resistance,economy,durability,and constructability).In the field investigation,strains on the surface of the concrete bridge deck,rebar,and steel beam in the negative bending moment region,as well as mid-span deflection,were measured under different load cases.Also,a finite element model for the four-span superstructure of the full-scale bridge was established and validated by the field test results.The simulated results in terms of strains and mid-span deflection showed moderate consistency with the test results.This field test and the finite element model results demonstrated that the new configuration with the UHPC layer provided an effective alternative for the negative bending moment region of the composite beam.

Refined analysis and construction parameter calculation for full-span erection of the continuous steel box girder bridge with long cantilevers

To accurately control the full-span erection of continuous steel box girder bridges with complex cross-sections and long cantilevers, both the augmented finite element method(A-FEM) and the degenerated plate elements are adopted in this paper. The entire construction process is simulated by the A-FEM with the mesh-separation-based approximation technique, while the degenerated plate elements are constructed based on 3D isoparametric elements, making it suitable for analysis of a thin-walled structure. This method significantly improves computational efficiency by avoiding numerous degrees of freedom(DoFs) when analyzing complex structures. With characteristics of the full-span erection technology, the end-face angle of adjacent girder segments, the preset distance of girder segments from the design position, and the temperature difference are selected as control parameters, and they are calculated through the structural response of each construction stage. Engineering practice shows that the calculation accuracy of A-FEM is verified by field-measured results. It can be applied rapidly and effectively to evaluate the matching state of girder segments and the stress state of bearings as well as the thermal effect during full-span erection.

Study on the seismic performance of a double spherical seismic isolation bearing

In this paper, the configuration and working mechanism of the recently developed double spherical seismic isolation （DSSI） bearing are introduced in detail. Then, vertical displacement of the DSSI bearing due to sliding on a spherical surface is analyzed. The results from seismic performance testing of the bearing are given, and a numerical analysis of a four span continuous girder bridge is performed. The numerical analysis compares the influence of three different bearing arrangement schemes on the structural seismic response, and the results show that the DSSI bearing is effective in increasing the vertical load bearing capacity, reducing the vertical displacement, and controlling the energy dissipation capacity within a certain range.