Comparative analysis of cast-in-place post-tensioned and steel-concrete composite bridge bent caps

The complexity of the IH-635 Managed Lanes Project, located in Dallas County, Texas, posed several technical and constructive challenges, leading to the adoption of solutions different from the traditional. Two alternative solutions for the pier cap on one of the bridge crossings over IH-35E in the IH-635 project were analyzed in this case study, a cast-in-place post-tensioned concrete cap and an innovative prefabricated steel-concrete com- posite cap. The approach was to use an estimation of direct costs for material and labor and consideration of con- struction time schedules. A supplementary numerical modeling confirmed that both alternatives behave elasti- cally under imposed loads. The direct cost of material and labor for the two alternatives were close. However, the composite alternative required 13 days less construction time, resulting in substantial cost savings from traffic closing in the very busy traffic corridor. Traffic closing costs were substantially higher than the direct costs, especially for the post-tensioned cap. The quantification of the benefits allows more confidence in the utilization of the composites caps, leading to faster completion of bridge projects and substantial economic savings.

Experimental Study on Shear Behavior of New-Type Steel-Concrete Composite Bridge Deck

To alleviate deck fatigue failure and regular pavement damage,which are congenital deficiencies of highway steel bridge deck structure,this paper proposes a newtype of composite bridge deck,consisting of steel tubular connectors and steel-reactive powder concrete (RPC). Push-out tests were conducted to study the newdeck's shear performance. During the experimental process,specimens were divided into two groups which are composed of steel tubular connectors with or without penetrative bars set in. Then,researchers analyzed destroyed models and mechanisms of the composite structure under shear forces. Results showed that test models in two groups,once destroyed,displayed similar shear fracture,which appeared on the lower margin of the steel tubular wall along the welds. Meanwhile,RPC under the connector,for varied tests,was crushed at the same stage,although the large shear and bending deformation just occurred on connectors with penetrative bars. Additionally,shear capacity of specimens with penetrative bars,compared with the ones without bars,unexpectedly decreased by 20%,but the structural ductility was 1.75 times as much,and the ductility coefficients of specimens were all larger than 3.5,demonstrating certain deformation capacity.

Dynamic Characteristics of Long -Span Steel -Concrete CompositeBeam Bridge Based on Vehicle -Bridge Coupling Effect

In order to investigate the effect of vehicle-bridge coupling on the dynamic characteristics of the bridge,a steel-concrete composite beam suspension bridge is taken as the research object,and a three-dimensional spatial model of the bridge and a biaxial vehicle model of the vehicle are established,and then a vehicle-bridge coupling vibration system is constructed on the basis of the Nemak-βmethod,and the impact coefficients of each part of the bridge are obtained under different bridge deck unevenness and vehicle speed.The simulation results show that the bridge deck unevenness has the greatest influence on the vibration response of the bridge,and the bridge impact coefficient increases along with the increase in the level of bridge deck unevenness,and the impact coefficient of the main longitudinal girder and the secondary longitudinal girder achieves the maximum value when the level 4 unevenness is 0.328 and 0.314,respectively;when the vehicle speed is increased,the vibration response of the bridge increases and then decreases,and the impact coefficient of the bridge in the middle of the bridge at a speed of 60 km/h achieves the maximum value of 0.192.

Double-layer model updating for steel-concrete composite beam cable-stayed bridge based on GPS

In order to establish the relationship between the measured dynamic response and the health status of long-span bridges, a double-layer model updating method for steel-concrete composite beam cable-stayed bridges is proposed. Measured frequencies are selected as the first-layer reference data, and the mass of the bridge deck, the grid density, the modulus of concrete and the ballast on the side span are modified by using a manual tuning technique. Measured global positioning system （GPS） data is selected as the second-layer reference data, and the degradation of the integral structure stiffness EI of the whole bridge is taken into account for the second-layer model updating by using the finite element iteration algorithm. The Nanpu Bridge in Shanghai is taken as a case to verify the applicability of the proposed model updating method. After the first-layer model updating, the standard deviation of modal frequencies is smaller than 7%. After the second-layer model updating, the error of the deflection of the mid-span is smaller than 10%. The integral structure stiffness of the whole bridge decreases about 20%. The research results show a good agreement between the calculated response and the measured response.

Internal Force Distribution in Steel-Concrete Composite Structure for Pylon of Cable-Stayed Bridge

Adopting a steel-anchor beam and steel corbel composite structure in the anchor zone on pylon is one of the key techniques for the design of Jintang bridge, a cable-stayed bridge in Zhoushan, China. In order to ensure the safety of the steel-concrete composite structure, a stud connector model for the joint section was put forward. Experiments were conducted to obtain the relation between load and slip of specimen, the failure pattern of stud connector, the yield bearing capacity and ultimate bearing capacity of a single stud, etc. The whole process of the structural behavior of the specimen was comprehensively analyzed. The features of the internal force distribution in the steel-concrete composite structure and the strain distribution of stud connector under different loads were emphatically studied. The test results show that the stud connector is applicable for the steel-concrete composite structure for pylon of Jintang bridge. The stud has a good ductility performance and a obvious yield process before its destruction. The stud connector basically works in a state of elasticity under a load less than the yield load.

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.

Measurement and theoretical analysis of solar temperature field in steel-concrete composite girder

The solar temperature field of a large three-span continuous bridge with steel-concrete composite box girder and variable cross-section is measured to verify a calculation method for the temperature field of steel-concrete composite beams. The test results show that the temperature of an external steel web- plate is higher than that of an internal web-plate due to the difference in solar radiation. Air temperature inside the box matches the average temperature of the whole steel box. Based on actual measurements, a transient thermal analysis with multiple boundary conditions is also carried out by a software program ANSYS. Convective boundary situation and states of solar radiation on steel web plates in different situations are determined in the analysis. The feature of the temperature field is preliminarily achieved through a comparative study between the actual measurement and the finite element analysis. The computed results are in good consistence with the actual measurement results, with the maximum difference within 2 ℃. This indicates that the theoretical calculation method is reliable and it provides a foundation for further research on temperature field distribution in the steel-concrete composite box girder.

Ultimate negative bending-moment capacity of outer-plated steel-concrete continuous composite beams

Static load tests and bearing capacity analyses are carried out for two outer-plated steel-concrete continuous composite beams. The load-deflection curve and the load-strain curve of specimens are obtained and analyzed. The test results indicate that effective cooperation can be achieved by the shearresistant connection between the reinforcement in the negative moment area and the outer-plated steel beam, and the overall working performance of the composite beams is favorable. At the load-bearing limiting state, the plastic strain on the maximum negative and positive moment section becomes fully developed so as to form relatively ideal plastic hinges. With the increase in the reinforcement ratio, the moment-carrying capacity of the composite beams improves significantly, but the ductility of the beams and the rotation ability of the plastic hinges decrease. The formulae for calculating the limit bending capacity in the negative moment area of outer-plated steel-concrete composite beams are proposed based on the test data. The calculated results agree well with the test results.

Seismic performance of double-skin steel-concrete composite box piers: Part Ⅱ—Nonlinear finite element analysis

An accurate finite element （ FE） model was constructed to examine the hysteretic behavior of double-skin steel-concrete composite box （ DSCB） piers for further understanding the seismic performance of DSCB piers; where the local buckling behavior of steel tubes, the confinement of the in-filled concrete and the interface action between steel tube and in-filled concrete were considered. The accuracy of the proposed FE model was verified by the bidirectional cyclic loading test results. Based on the validated FE model, the effects of some key parameters, such as section width to steel thickness ratio, slenderness ratio, aspect ratio and axial load ratio on the hysteretic behavior of DSCB piers were investigated. Finally, the skeleton curve model of DSCB piers was proposed. The numerical simulation results reveal that the peak strength and elastic stiffness decrease with the increase of the section width to steel thickness ratio. Moreover, the increase of the slenderness ratio may result in a significant reduction in the peak strength and elastic stiffness while the ultimate displacement increases. The proposed skeleton curve model can be taken as a reference for seismic performance analyses of the DSCB piers.

Weldability of steel used in an aged bridge

A series of experiments was performed to investigate the weldability of steel used in an aged bridge.A steel material used in an aged railway bridge constructed in 1912 was extracted for this investigation.The chemical compositions of this steel were suitable for welding.However,the aged steel contained much sulfur.Cruciform welded joints were fabricated with this aged steel.Welding defects or cracks were not observed in the joints.The Vickers hardness test on the welded part did not confirm extreme hardening or softening.After yielding by the static tensile test,the cruciform joints were fractured at the welded parts.One of the specimens was fractured in the middle of the thickness of the aged steel.The Sulfur contained in the aged steel might cause this type of fracture.The results show that there may be a risk of brittle fracture not only from the welded part but also from the base metal.The chemical compositions of aged steel must be analyzed when repair welding is applied to the steel.

Analysis of free vibration characteristic of steel-concrete composite box-girder considering shear lag and slip

Based on Hamilton principle,the governing differential equations and the corresponding boundary conditions of steel-concrete composite box girder with consideration of the shear lag effect meeting self equilibrated stress,shear deformation,slip,as well as rotational inertia were induced.Therefore,natural frequency equations were obtained for the boundary types,such as simple support,cantilever,continuous girder and fixed support at two ends.The ANSYS finite element solutions were compared with the analytical solutions by calculation examples and the validity of the proposed approach was verified,which also shows the correctness of longitudinal warping displacement functions.Some meaningful conclusions for engineering design were obtained.The decrease extent of each order natural frequency of the steel-concrete composite box-girder is great under action of the shear lag effect.The shear-lag effect of steel-concrete composite box girder increases when frequency order rises,and increases while span-width ratio decreases.The proposed approach provides theoretical basis for further research of free vibration characteristics of steel-concrete composite box-girder.

Closed-form solution for shear lag effects of steel-concrete composite box beams considering shear deformation and slip

Based on the consideration of longitudinal warp caused by shear lag effects on concrete slabs and bottom plates of steel beams,shear deformation of steel beams and interface slip between steel beams and concrete slabs,the governing differential equations and boundary conditions of the steel-concrete composite box beams under lateral loading were derived using energy-variational method.The closed-form solutions for stress,deflection and slip of box beams under lateral loading were obtained,and the comparison of the analytical results and the experimental results for steel-concrete composite box beams under concentrated loading or uniform loading verifies the closed-form solution.The investigation of the parameters of load effects on composite box beams shows that:1) Slip stiffness has considerable impact on mid-span deflection and end slip when it is comparatively small;the mid-span deflection and end slip decrease significantly with the increase of slip stiffness,but when the slip stiffness reaches a certain value,its impact on mid-span deflection and end slip decreases to be negligible.2) The shear deformation has certain influence on mid-span deflection,and the larger the load is,the greater the influence is.3) The impact of shear deformation on end slip can be neglected.4) The strain of bottom plate of steel beam decreases with the increase of slip stiffness,while the shear lag effect becomes more significant.

Experimental study on seismic behaviors of steel-concrete composite frames

Steel-concrete composite frames are seeing increased use in earthquake region because of their excellent structural characteristics, including high strength, stiffness, and good ductility. However, there exist gaps in the knowledge of seismic behavior and the design provisions for these structures. In order to better understand the seismic behaviors of composite frame systems, eight steel-concrete composite frames were designed. These composite frames were composed of steel-concrete composite beams and concrete filled steel tube columns. The axial compression ratio of column, slenderness ratio and linear stiffness ratio of beam to column were selected as main design parameters. The low reversed cyclic loading tests of composite frame system were carried out. Based on test results, the seismic behaviors of composite frames such as failure mode, hysteresis curve, strength degradation, rigidity degradation, ductility and energy dissipation were studied. Known from the test phenomenon, the main cause of damage is the out-of-plane deformation of steel beam and the yielding destruction of column heel. The hysteretic loops of composite frame appear a spindle shape and no obvious pinch phenomenon. The results demonstrate that this type of composite frame has favorable seismic behaviors. Furthermore, the effects of design parameters on seismic behaviors were also discussed. The results of the experiment show that the different design parameter has different influence rule on seismic behaviors of composite frame.

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.

Structure and behavior of floor system of two super high-speed railway Changjiang composite bridges

Wuhan Tianxingzhou Changjiang (WTC) Bridge and Nanjing Dashengguan Changjiang (NDC) Bridge are two super high-speed railway 3-trusses composite bridges. This is the first time of using three trusses in such large bridges in the world. These two types of railway floor systems of the two bridges have never been used in China before. The problem how to conform the deformations and stress levels of the railway floor system of WTC Bridge was studied. After finite element analysis and comparison,the plan of arranging one expansion stringer every two panels in railway floor system were proposed and good effect was obtained. Because of the application of three trusses,the allocation of the loads acted on the deck in three trusses is different and varies in different places of NDC Bridge. This problem was studied by model experiment and 3D finite element analysis. The results of 3D FEM analysis coincide with the model test results. The allocation rule of the loads acting on the deck in three trusses was presented. Because of the application of monolithic decks,the stiffness and structural integrity of NDC Bridge are high.

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.

Nonlinear finite element analysis of steel-concrete composite beams

Proposes a simplified finite element model for steel-concrete composite beams. The effects of slip can be taken into account by creating a special matrix of shear connector stiffness and using the iteration method. Meanwhile, the effect of material non-linearity of steel and concrete on rigidity and strength of composite beams is considered. With the age-adjusted effective modulus method, the analysis for the whole process of shrinkage and creep under long-term load can be performed. The ultimate load, deflection, stress and slip of continuous composite beams under short-term and long-term load are computed using the proposed finite element model. The numerical results are compared with the experimental results and existing values based on other numerical methods, and are found to be in good agreement.

A new 3-D element formulation on displacement of steel-concrete composite box beam

Slip of a composite box beam may reduce its stiffness, enlarge its deformation and affect its performance. In this work, the governing differential equations and boundary conditions of composite box beams were established. Analytic solutions of combined differential equations were also established. Partial degree of freedom was adopted to establish a new FEA element of three-dimensional beam, taking into account the slip effect. Slip and its first-order derivative were introduced into the nodes of composite box beams as generalized degree of freedom. Stiffness matrix and load array of beam elements were established. A three-dimensional nonlinear calculation program was worked out. The results show that the element is reliable and easy to divide and is suitable for special nonlinear analysis of large-span composite box beams.

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.

Mechanical performance of shear studs and application in steel-concrete composite beams

This work experimentally investigates the effects of shear stud characteristics on the interface slippage of steel-concrete composite push-out specimens. ABAQUS is used to establish a detailed 3D finite element(FE) model and analyze the behavior of push-out specimens. The modeling results are in good agreement with the experimental results. Based on parametrical analysis using the validated FE approaches, the effects of important design parameters, such as the diameter, number, length to diameter ratio, and yield strength of studs, concrete strength and steel transverse reinforcement ratio, on the load-slip relationship at the interface of composite beams are discussed. In addition, a simplified approach to model studs is developed using virtual springs with an equivalent stiffness. This approach is demonstrated to be able to predict the load-displacement response and ultimate bearing capacity of steel-concrete composite beams. The predicted results show satisfactory agreement with experimental results from the literature.