Structural Behavior of Incomplete Box Girder Bridges Subjected to Unpredicted Loads

Authors: E. H. N. Gashti, J. Razzaghi, K. Kujala

Abstract:

In general, codes and regulations consider seismic loads only for completed structures of the bridges while, evaluation of incomplete structure of bridges, especially those constructed by free cantilever method, under these loads is also of great importance. Hence, this research tried to study the behavior of incomplete structure of common bridge type (box girder bridge), in construction phase under vertical seismic loads. Subsequently, the paper provided suitable guidelines and solutions to resist this destructive phenomenon. Research results proved that use of preventive methods can significantly reduce the stresses resulted from vertical seismic loads in box cross sections to an acceptable range recommended by design codes.

Keywords: Box girder bridges, Prestress loads, Free cantilever method, Seismic loads, Construction phase.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1100603

References:

[1] AASHTO LRFD Bridge design specifications, American Association of High way and Transportation officials, Washington D.C., 1994.
[2] EC 8. 1994a. Euro Code8 – Design Provisions for Earthquake Resistance of Structures – Part 1-1: General Rules – Seismic Actions and General Requirements for Structures – European Prestandard ENV 1998-1-1.
[3] EC 8. 1994b. Euro Code8 – Design Provisions for Earthquake Resistance of Structures – Part 2: Bridges - European Prestandard ENV 1998-2.
[4] Sap2000, Advanced 10.0.1, Structural Analysis Program.
[5] PCI Bridge Producers Committee, “Recommended Composite Bridge deck Panels”, PCI Journal, V.33, No.2, March-April 1998, PP.67-109.
[6] Moghaddam, H. Earthquake Engineering, fundamentals and application, Tehran. Farhang Pub, 2002.
[7] Transportaion, Federal highway administration. U.S. Department of Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance Report on Transportation Infrastructure: Impact of the February 27, 2010, Offshore Maule Earthquake in Chile. Offshore Maule Earthquake in Chile : Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-11-030.
[8] Gupta, A.K. Response Spectrum Method. In seismic analysis and design of structures. 1992 by CRC Press.
[9] Road and Railway Bridges Seismic Resistant Design Code. No:463. Ministry of Roads and Transportation, Tehran, 2008.