Numerical investigation of temperature gradient-induced thermal stress for steel–concrete composite bridge deck in suspension bridges

A3D finite element model(FEM)with realistic field measurements of temperature distributions is proposed to investigate the thermal stress variation in the steel–concrete composite bridge deck system.First,a brief literaturereview indicates that traditional thermal stress calculation in suspension bridges is based on the2D plane structure with simplified temperature profiles on bridges.Thus,a3D FEM is proposed for accurate stress analysis.The focus is on the incorporation of full field arbitrary temperature profile for the stress analysis.Following this,the effect of realistic temperature distribution on the structure is investigated in detail and an example using field measurements of Aizhai Bridge is integrated with the proposed3D FEM model.Parametric studies are used to illustrate the effect of different parameters on the thermal stress distribution in the bridge structure.Next,the discussion and comparison of the proposed methodology and simplified calculation method in the standard is given.The calculation difference and their potential impact on the structure are shown in detail.Finally,some conclusions and recommendations for future bridge analysis and design are given based on the proposed study.

Comparison and Selection of Arch-Rib Construction Schemes for Continuous Beam arch Composite Bridge of High Speed Railway

The paper summarizes the four different construction schemes based on engineering cases for the arch rib construction of continuous beam-arch composite bridges for high-speed railways.These methods include in-situ assembly,segmental lifting,incremental launching and longitudinal moving,and vertical rotation.The temporary structural designs,process methods,and technological equipment for each construction scheme are described in detail.The advantages and disadvantages of each scheme and its application scope under various conditions are analyzed,and opinions and suggestions for guiding the application of each scheme are proposed.The comparison and selection analyses show that the four arch rib construction schemes have certain applicability under different conditions such as bridge site status,bridge span,and construction environment.With the continuous increase of bridge span and progress of construction technological equipment,the arch rib construction technology is developing towards the overall erection direction.This leads to more obvious technical advantages of the segmental lifting method,incremental launching and longitudinal moving method,and vertical rotation method.Therefore,it is necessary to select the best construction scheme according to the construction status and technical conditions during application.

Improved methods for decreasing stresses of concrete slab of large-span through tied-arch composite bridge

Mechanical behavior of concrete slab of large-span through tied-arch composite bridge was investigated by finite element analysis (FEA). Improved methods to decrease concrete stresses were discussed based on comparisons of different deck schemes, construction sequences and measures, and ratios of reinforcement. The results show that the mechanical behavior of concrete slab gets worse with the increase of composite regions between steel beams and concrete slab. The deck scheme with the minimum composite region is recommended on condition that both strength and stiffness of the bridge meet design demands under service loads. Adopting in-situ-place construction method, concrete is suggested to be cast after removing the full-supported frameworks under the bridge. Thus, the axial tensile force of concrete slab caused by the first stage dead load is eliminated. Preloading the bridge before concrete casting and removing the load after the concrete reaching its design strength, the stresses of concrete slab caused by the second stage dead load and live load are further reduced or even eliminated. At last, with a high ratio of reinforcement more than 3%, the concrete stresses decrease obviously.

Design and Construction of Composite Tubular Arches with Network Suspension System： Recent Undertakings and Trends

The use of Network hanger arrangement, a development of the classical Nielsen V-hanger system, in steel bowstring arch bridges allows for important steel saving, with very slender main elements, owing to the remarkable reduction of bending stresses in the arches and tie beams. The present paper describes the main features of the design and construction of several long-span arch bridges of this typology in Spain： the three pedestrian footbridges for the Madrid cycling ring track, with spans of 52, 60 and 80 m, the Bridge over River Deba in Guipuzcoa with a span of 110 m and Palma del Rio Bridge over River Guadalquivir in Cordoba, 130 m long. In all cases, two inclined arches linked at the crown were implemented, a very effective disposition to reduce the out-of-plane buckling length. The multiple crossings of the hanger system, consisting of prestressed bars in the case of Deba Bridge and the footbridges, and locked coil cables for Palma del Rio Bridge, were dealt with by means of crossing devices which led to a technically satisfactory solution with minimal visual impact. An innovative approach to bowstring arches was introduced in Valdebebas Bridge over M-12 motorway in Madrid, next to the new T-4 Terminal of Barajas Airport, with a span of 162 m, where the hangers are replaced by a structural steel mesh -diagrid- which acts as the web of a simply-supported beam whose compression head is the arch and the tie beam is the deck.

Structural Performance of Light Weight Multicellular FRP Composite Bridge Deck Using Finite Element Analysis

Fiber reinforced polymer （FRP） composite materials having advantages such as higher strength to weight than conventional engineering materials, non-corrosiveness and modularization, which should help engineers to obtain more efficient and cost effective structural materials and systems. Currently, FRP composites are becoming more popular in civil engineering applications. The objectives of this research are to study performance and behavior of light weight multi-cellular FRP composite bridge decks （both module and system levels） under various loading conditions through finite element modeling, and to validate analytical response of FRP composite bridge decks with data from laboratory evaluations. The relative deflection, equivalent flexural rigidity, failure load （mode） and load distribution factors （LDF） based on FE results have been compared with experimental data and discussed in detail. The finite element results showing good correlations with experimental data are presented in this work.

Influence of Random Track Irregularities on Dynamic Response of Bridge/Track Structure/High-Speed Train Systems

Random vertical track irregularities are one of essential vibration sources in bridge, track structure and high-speed train systems. The common model of such irregularities is a stationary and ergodic Gaussian process. The study presents the results of numerical dynamic analysis of advanced virtual models of composite BTT （bridge/ballasted track structure/high-speed train） systems. The analysis has been conducted for a series of types of single-span simply-supported railway composite （steel-concrete） bridges, with a symmetric platform, located on lines with ballasted track structure adapted for high-speed trains. The bridges are designed according to Polish bridge standards. A new methodology of numerical modeling and simulation of dynamic processes in BTT systems has been applied. The methodology takes into consideration viscoelastic suspensions of rail-vehicles, nonlinear Hertz wheel-rail contact stiffness and one-side wheel-rail contact, physically nonlinear elastic-damping properties of the track structure, random vertical track irregularities, approach slabs and other features. Computer algorithms of FE （finite element） modeling and simulation were programmed in Delphi. Both static and dynamic numerical investigations of the bridges forming the series of types have been carried out. It has been proved that in the case of common structural solutions of bridges and ballasted track structures, it is necessary to put certain limitations on operating speeds, macadam ballast and vertical track roughness.

Identification of Connection Flexibility Effects Based on Load Testing of a Steel-Concrete Bridge

In the case of composite girders, an effective cooperation of both parts of the section is influenced by deformability of connectors. Limited flexural stiffness of welded studs, used commonly in bridge structures, does not provide full interaction of a steel beam and a concrete slab. This changes strain distribution in cross-sections of a composite girder and results in redistribution of internal forces in steel and concrete element. In the paper partial interaction index defined on the basis of a neutral axis position, which can be used for verification of steel-concrete interaction in real bridge structures rather than in specimens is proposed. The range of the index value changes, obtained during load testing of a typical steel-concrete composite beam bridge, is presented. The investigation was carried out on a motorway viaduct, consisting of two parallel structures. During the testing values of strains in girders under static and quasi-static loads were measured. The readings from the gauges were used to determine the index, characterizing composite action of the girders. Results of bridge testing under movable load, changing position along the bridge span is presented and obtained in-situ influence functions of strains and index values are commented in the paper.

Behavior of composite rigid frame bridge under bi-directional seismic excitations

Pushover analysis and time history analysis are conducted to explore the bi-directional seismic behavior of composite steel-concrete rigid frame bridge, which is composed of RC piers and steel-concrete composite girders. Both longitudinal and transverse directions excitations are investigated using OpenSees. Firstly, the applicability of pushover analysis based on the funda- mental mode is discussed. Secondly, an improved pushover analysis method considering the contribution of higher modes is proposed, and the applicability on composite rigid frame bridges under bi-directional earthquake is verified. Based on this method, an approach to predict the displacement responses of composite rigid frame bridge under random hi-directional seismic excitations by revising the elasto-plastic demand curve is also proposed. It is observed that the developed method yield a good estimate on the responses of composite rigid frame bridges under bi-directional seismic excitations.

Mechanical behavior of concrete-filled rectangular steel tubular composite truss bridge in the negative moment region

Concrete-filled rectangular steel tubular(CFRST)composite truss bridge is a new type of structure composed of a CFRST truss and concrete deck slab.This new type of bridge has the advantages of high structural force-transferring efficiency,rapid assembly construction speed and excellent total life cycle,which meets the construction concept of green,recyclable and sustainable development.Due to the broad application prospects,experiment on the flexural behavior of CFRST composite truss bridge in the negative moment region was reported by authors previously.This paper thus presents a finite element analysis(FEA)modelling verified by the reported test data to further investigate the detailed analytical behavior of this structure.The structural response and failure mechanism of CFRST composite truss beam in the negative moment region are studied.In addition,the important structural design parameters on the flexural performance of the CFRST composite truss beam are also investigated,including the height to span ratio,the brace-to-chord wall thickness ratio,the reinforcement ratio of steel reinforcements and prestressed tendons and the strength grade of concrete infill in chords.Finally,the reasonable structural design parameters range are proposed for the optimum design of the CFRST composite truss bridge.

Precast steel—UHPC lightweight composite bridge for accelerated bridge construction

In this study,a fully precast steel—ultrahigh performance concrete(UHPC)lightweight composite bridge(LWCB)was proposed based on Mapu Bridge,aiming at accelerating construction in bridge engineering.Cast-in-place joints are generally the controlling factor of segmental structures.Therefore,an innovative girder-to-girder joint that is suitable for LWCB was developed.A specimen consisting of two prefabricated steel—UHPC composite girder parts and one post-cast joint part was fabricated to determine if the joint can effectively transfer load between girders.The flexural behavior of the specimen under a negative bending moment was explored.Finite element analyses of Mapu Bridge showed that the nominal stress of critical sections could meet the required stress,indicating that the design is reasonable.The fatigue performance of the UHPC deck was assessed based on past research,and results revealed that the fatigue performance could meet the design requirements.Based on the test results,a crack width prediction method for the joint interface,a simplified calculation method for the design moment,and a deflection calculation method for the steel—UHPC composite girder in consideration of the UHPC tensile stiffness effect were presented.Good agreements were achieved between the predicted values and test results.

Fatigue evaluation of steel-concrete composite deck in steel truss bridge—A case study

An innovative composite deck system has recently been proposed for improved structural performance.To study the fatigue behavior of a steel-concrete composite bridge deck,we took a newly-constructed rail-cum-road steel truss bridge as a case study.The transverse stress history of the bridge deck near the main truss under the action of a standard fatigue vehicle was calculated using finite element analysis.Due to the fact that fatigue provision remains unavailable in the governing code of highway concrete bridges in China,a preliminary fatigue evaluation was conducted according to the fib Model Code.The results indicate that flexural failure of the bridge deck in the transverse negative bending moment region is the controlling fatigue failure mode.The fatigue life associated with the fatigue fracture of steel reinforcement is 56 years.However,while the top surface of the bridge deck concrete near the truss cracks after just six years,the bridge deck performs with fatigue cracks during most of its design service life.Although fatigue capacity is acceptable under design situations,overloading or understrength may increase its risk of failure.The method presented in this work can be applied to similar bridges for preliminary fatigue assessment.