Abstract
For advantage of economical and practical construction, precast T-shape girder bridge is commmonly used in China. In recent years, damage of diaphragm became a serious problem in operation and maintenance. In this study, based on finite element (FE) analysis of an actual bridge, stress distribution and failure process of diaphragm is demonstrated. The result shows that the stress of middle diaphragms started to beyond the limit firstly, under heavey load of 1.5 times equivalent Grade highway-I live load. Then, method of Double-K brace to strengthen the transveral connnection of the exist bridges is proposed and applied on background bridge. Based on the field test, tensile stress of diaphragms concrete reduced 69.4% when Double-K brace were adopted, and the lateral integrity of precast T-beam bridge could be improved effectively.
Highlights
Precast continuous bridge has the advantages of constructs conveniently and low cost, become one of the dominant bridge types for medium and small span bridges in China
A three-span continuous precast T-Shape girder bridge is simulated by finite element (FE) model to illustrate the damage process and failure of diapgragms under different grade of live load
Under “1. 5*live load”, tension stress of all bottom part of middle diaphragms increased to 1.893MPa; cracks between middle diaphragms and T-Shape girder keeps extending upward
Summary
Precast continuous bridge has the advantages of constructs conveniently and low cost, become one of the dominant bridge types for medium and small span bridges in China. As a main connection component along transverse direction, diaphragms connect girders as an integrity to bear horizontal forces and live load. LIANG concluded the stress of diaphragm in the midspan is the most unfavorable [4]. PENG studied the diaphragms stress after pasting steel plate based on FE analysis [5]. For highway under heavey vehicle load, the process of diaphragm damage needs further study. The research background of this study is highway from Yang-quan to Zuo-quan in Shanxi Provce, with heavey coal transportation. A three-span continuous precast T-Shape girder bridge is simulated by FE model to illustrate the damage process and failure of diapgragms under different grade of live load. A strengthening method by spacial double-K shape brace is proposed and applied to enhance the transverse connection and decrease the tensile stress of exsiting diaphragms
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