Numerical Investigation and Structural Analysis on the Springing Joint of a Steel Truss Arch Bridge

Abstract

Arch springing is an important critical joint in a steel truss arch bridge, and it has a great influence on the mechanical behavior of the global structure. The adoption of a reasonable structure of the springing joint is of important significance in the design of an arch bridge. In this paper, with regard to the structure of Xinshiji Bridge, two types of arch springing were put forward. In Scheme-1, the lower chords of steel truss arch ribs are connected to the concrete piers with shear studs on the ribs and cap plates welded on the ribs at the top of concrete piers., while Scheme-2 is a integrated spring joint with a base plate on the bottom of the steel arch ribs and with reinforcing bars through the holes on the joints steel arch ribs. 3D finite element models of the two types of springing joint were established and the relative slips between the concrete and steel were taken into account in the analyses. The mechanical behavior of the concrete and the steel structure of the joints under applied loads was investigated and the analysis result showed that Scheme-2 is a relative better structure of springing joint, with less principle tensile stress in concrete and less Mises stress in steel plates.