Chapter 6 - Examples of Finite Element Models of Steel Bridges

Abstract

Chapters 1–4Chapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4 have provided the necessary background regarding the general layout, loading, and design of steel and steel-concrete composite bridges. On the other hand, Chapter 5 has provided the required background regarding the issues related to finite element modeling of the bridges. Therefore, it is now possible in this chapter to present examples of finite element models for steel bridges based on the background of finite element analysis detailed in Chapter 5. This chapter presents illustrative examples of finite element models developed to understand the structural behavior of steel bridges. The chapter starts by a brief introduction and a review of recent investigations reported in the literature concerning the modeling of steel bridges. The chapter details how the finite element models were developed and the results obtained. The presented examples show the effectiveness of finite element models in providing detailed data that complement experimental data in the field. The results are discussed to show the significance of the finite element models in predicting the structural response of the different bridges investigated. In overall, it is aimed to show that finite element analysis not only can assess the accuracy of the design rules specified in current codes of practice but also can improve and propose more accurate design rules. The author hopes that the review of recent finite element models reported in the literature together with the illustrative finite element models developed by the author in this chapter can provide readers with a complete piece of work regarding the finite element analysis of steel bridges.