Nonlinear Seismic Analysis of Concrete Arch Bridge with Steel Webs

Abstract

Concrete arch bridge with steel webs is a modification of the conventional reinforced concrete arch bridge by replacing the concrete webs with the corrugated or plain steel webs. In this study, a finite element model of the reinforced concrete arch bridge and the concrete arch bridge with corrugated or plain steel webs were developed using a nonlinear finite element program, NL_Beam3D. Their nonlinear seismic responses were studied and compared. The results demonstrate that axial force and out-of-plane bending moment are predominant under out-of-plane seismic excitations, and the materials at the arch springing have reached the plastic stage. On the other hand, axial force and in-plane bending moment are predominant under longitudinal seismic excitations, and the materials still remain in the elastic state. It is also found that seismic responses under out-of-plane excitations are greater than that under longitudinal excitations. For concrete arch bridges with steel webs, it is unnecessary to consider the effects of synchronous out-of-plane and longitudinal seismic excitations. RC-PSW arch bridge has better seismic performance than RC-PSW arch bridge.