Method for Construction, Maintenance, and Management of Rigid-Frame Bridges Using H-Shaped Steel Girders

Abstract

This work outlines an actual case study performed on a rigid-frame bridge using H-shaped steel girders in the laboratory and introduces the process of construction, maintenance, and management of the proposed bridge structure in practical cases. A novel structural rigid connection was developed for H-shaped steel girders and reinforcing bars at the corner of the rigid-frame structure. Additionally, a full-size model of the reinforced concrete rigid-frame bridge with H-shaped steel girders was constructed and subjected to destructive loading tests to evaluate the structural integrity of the proposed rigid connection and to reveal the load-carrying capacity and failure mode of the bridge. As a result of the loading test, compression failure occurred on the upper surface of the concrete deck at midspan, whereas plasticization and breakage of the fixing nut did not occur in the vicinity of the fixing part. Therefore, the feasibility of the connection approach at the rigid corner was verified experimentally. In addition, the results of cost analysis showed that the rigid-frame bridge could potentially provide significant cost benefits compared to the other bridge structures considered in this study. Notably, regarding the total cost for a life cycle of 100 years, the overall cost of rigid-frame bridges was estimated to be approximately 0.49–0.58 of the total expenses for slab bridges. Finally, this work introduced a scheduled inspection procedure with new inspection items corresponding to the proposed bridges by utilizing visual observation in combination with other testing techniques.