Abstract
Taking the curved continuous rigid frame bridges (CRFBs) with high piers as research object, the construction stability of four different styles of main piers were analyzed by finite element (FE) method in three construction stages including the segment 0 stage, largest cantilever stage, and finished bridge stage. Rules governing the stabilities of bridges with various pier styles, height, and slenderness ratio were established. At different construction stages, pier type and pier height affect structural stability differently. Wind loads have little influence on structural stability at any construction stage, and accidental events influence the stability of bridges more than normal construction loads. There is a nonlinear power relationship of fixed functional type between the stability safety factor (SSF) and slenderness ratio in all four pier styles; this power relationship can be used to predict the stability of a new pier.
Highlights
Rapid economic advancement in China has created increasing demand for new road traffic construction
Curved continuous rigid-frame bridges (CRFBs) with piers more than 50 meters high require cantilever construction technology, longer spans, and more box sections; they are influenced by curvature, so their overall stability and local stability have considerable impact on the safety of their construction and maintenance
A curved CRFB in a mountainous area of Western China was used as a practical engineering prototype to build bridge models at three different construction stages in finite element (FE) software
Summary
Rapid economic advancement in China has created increasing demand for new road traffic construction. Long-span continuous rigid-frame bridges (CRFBs) are common in these areas, containing piers that are often over one hundred meters high. Curved CRFBs with piers more than 50 meters high require cantilever construction technology, longer spans, and more box sections; they are influenced by curvature, so their overall stability and local stability have considerable impact on the safety of their construction and maintenance. Several previous researchers have studied the influence of different loads on CRFBs [1]-[4] and analyzed their structural stabilities in different construction stages [5]-[11]. Jason and his co-workers [14]-[16] have studied the stresses, behavior, and analysis method of curved steel I-girders bridges during lifting, but the construction stability of curved CRFBs is still to be investigated.
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