Bionic approach to design of bridge structures. Part 2: Finite-element modeling of an arch pedestrian bridge designed using the bionic approach

Abstract

It is noted that today in Russia the problem of applying the bionic approach in the design of bridges, despite the appearance of a number of works, is little studied and needs to be further developed. Briefly discusses the main loads on bridge structures and features of the calculation of bridges. It is indicated that practically no attention is paid to the problem of correctly determining loads and impacts. The features of the calculation method for limiting states are discussed and attention is paid to the fact that the method does not take into account that structures in most cases reach the limiting state not because of an increase in load, but because of improperly designed section sizes, due to changes in the mechanical characteristics of materials under the influence of the environment, due to the appearance and development of defects and damage, both distributed and local in nature. It is also indicated that in the method the deformation calculation is practically separated from the strength calculation and there is a discrepancy in the hypotheses used in this case. The rest of the article gives examples of applying the bionic approach to the design of arch pedestrian bridges and discusses the idea of sustainable design. In the final part, we consider the problem of finite element modeling of a pedestrian arch bridge with inclined arches (butterfly bridge), designed using the bionic approach. For the calculation, the Midas Civil software package was used. Plots of stresses, displacements from various combinations of loads are given. It is indicated that the use of the bionic approach in the design of bridge structures has great potential in terms of creating interesting inventions, especially since this branch of engineering design is a very little studied, innovative area of scientific interest for a large number of engineers, researchers, scientists today. Bionic design is an effective tool for finding new solutions for bridge structures.