Driving adaptability of highway steel-concrete composite beam bridge with multiple damages: theory, technology and practice

Abstract

ABSTRACT To enhance the post-disaster highway driving speed evaluation system for steel-concrete composite beam bridge (SCCBB), a human-vehicle-bridge coupled driving adaptability analysis method is proposed. This method integrates considerations of both driving safety and comfort. Numerical simulation is employed to utilize a damaged SCCBB as the engineering context for studying vehicle rollover safety, vibration acceleration limits, and driving comfort. The analysis considers various vehicle types, including sedan cars, mini vans, motor buses, and trucks, resulting in recommended speed limits for each category. The study reveals that trucks demonstrate lower susceptibility to rollover accidents compared to sedan cars, mini vans, and motor buses under constant damage grade and vehicle speed conditions. However, increased damage grade and road surface roughness elevate rollover risks and diminish driver comfort. To ensure smooth post-disaster traffic flow on SCCBB and maintain acceptable driving comfort and speed levels, it is recommended to enforce speed limits: below 60 km/h for sedan cars, below 40 km/h for mini vans and motor buses, and below 80 km/h for trucks. The primary aim of this study is to provide technical guidance for the safe operation and maintenance of post-disaster SCCBB.