Abstract
In the design process of an arch bridge, the designer may decide to stiffen the hangers linking the arch and the deck, usually in order to reduce the internal forces or the deflections. In this paper, the effect of stiffened hangers on the longitudinal in-plane structural behavior of arch bridges is studied. Then, the effect of the stiffness of the hangers and the relevance of the arch–deck relative stiffness are shown. The paper also describes how stiff hangers with a hinge—either at the bottom or the top—combine very high structural efficiency and ease of execution. Once the advantages of stiff hangers are described and a possible drawback is highlighted. The problem may arise for stiffened hangers, as the bending moments near the ends of the deck might become more adverse for symmetrical load cases than for asymmetrical load distributions, as this usually occurs in arch bridges. To address this problem, this paper suggests a novel solution by designing a combination of fixed and pinned hangers, which can be as efficient as a configuration where all the hangers are fixed, while simultaneously reducing the bending moment at the end zones of the deck.
Highlights
An arch bridge is mainly composed of two elements: the deck, which provides a surface for traffic, and the arch, which is the supporting element
The problem arises because, for stiffened hangers, the bending moments near the ends of the deck might be more adverse for symmetrical load cases than for asymmetrical loads the deck might be more adverse for symmetrical load cases than for asymmetrical loads distributions, distributions, as it usually happens in arch bridges
This paper suggests a as it usually happens in arch bridges
Summary
An arch bridge is mainly composed of two elements: the deck, which provides a surface for traffic, and the arch, which is the supporting element. The problem arises because, for stiffened hangers, the bending moments near the ends of the deck might be more adverse for symmetrical load cases than for asymmetrical loads the deck might be more adverse for symmetrical load cases than for asymmetrical loads distributions, distributions, as it usually happens in arch bridges. To address this problem, this paper suggests a as it usually happens in arch bridges. This solution combines structural efficiency and ease of execution
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