Performance of bolted splice connection in I-girder composite bridges under tanker fire

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study on the fire performance of I-girder composite bridges with and without bolted web–flange splice connection under tanker fire. The analysis is divided into two stages: heat transfer and structural analysis. A total of six cases are examined. The effects of the bolted splice connection and tanker fire locations on the fire performance are investigated in four cases. Results show that maximum vertical deflections on the composite bridge can quickly reach the limit value given by BS-476 under tanker fire. Horizontal displacements of the roller support can attain to critical values which can cause the roller bearing to fall from the abutment and seriously affect the traffic under the bridge. Each member of the connection is investigated separately in detail. It is found that the bottom flange bolts play a very important role in determining the structural integrity at high temperatures since the maximum inelastic deformations are detected on them. The possible live load effect on the bridge during the fire is also investigated.