Final-State Structural Behavior of the Long-Span Kömürhan Cable-Stayed Bridge under Torsional and Bending Loadings

Abstract

Final-state field load testing is an effective method for understanding the real behavior of a bridge before it opens to traffic. The paper presents the procedure and the results of final-state static field tests on the new long span Kömürhan cable-stayed bridge with a single pylon and back span anchorage block under torsional and bending loadings. A total of six static loading cases were conducted to investigate real structural behavior of the bridge having a back span anchorage block and main span deck connected to the pylon with 42 tensioned cables in the deck center. Measured results have been obtained from the surveys and sensors while theoretical results have been calculated from the three-dimensional finite element model of the bridge final-state geometry. The results of final-state static load tests include the main span deck deflections, pylon horizontal displacements, the strains of the main span deck and the pylon, and the cable forces. A good agreement has been achieved between the experimental and theoretical results. Both experimental and theoretical results have shown that the real bridge behavior is in the elastic state under the planned test loads and supplies the design requirements. It is also observed that the results from the torsional and bending load cases positioned in the same sections are close to each other.