Constitutive models for FE analysis of pile founded buried arch bridge

Abstract

The paper presents plane strain FE modeling of a pile founded bridge, made from reinforced concrete, by using plate elements for the structure and the soil body. The soil-structure contact is modeled by interface finite elements. The numerical analysis is performed by the Plaxis 2D software. The mechanical behavior of the bridge is approximated by the constitutive models of Hooke and Mohr-Coulomb. Two sets of values of the Mohr-Coulomb strength parameters (cohesion and internal friction angle) for the concrete are obtained - on the basis of the theoretical uniaxial compressive and tensile strengths and on the basis of relationships in the Eurocode 2. The advanced constitutive HSM model is used for the soil. The construction and service periods of the bridge are simulated by a sequence of representative states. The mechanical response of the bridge undergoing backfill and road loads is analysed.