Mathematical Modeling of Linear Static and Dynamic Analysis for Pier Height Effect on the Structural Performance of Bridges Structures

Abstract

The results of linear static analysis explained that the increasing of pier heights was leaded to rise the values of positive bending moment, tensile stresses, and downward vertical deflection. Whereas the compressive stresses and negative bending moment were decreased, indicating that the structural performance of bridge structure representing by stiffness, bearing capacity of structural members, and elasticity will decrease and the bridges structures will be damaged. Therefore, the bridges structures need safe design when using tall piers by adopting high quality materials such as high strength concrete, more steel reinforcement, more prestressed tendons, and increasing of cross section dimensions of girders and piers. The results of modal analysis show that the un-loaded dynamic frequency for three types of bridges models were decreased when the pier heights were increased, indicating that the stiffness of bridges structure was became low with higher pier height. According to response spectra and time history analysis results, the loaded dynamic frequency (vibration state) and dynamic displacement were increased when the pier heights were increased, showing that the bridge of structure will suffer from high vibration when the pier height was high. It can be concluded that from this study, the piers heights have significant effects on the static and dynamic structural performance of bridges structures under traffic loads.