Abstract
In order to analyse the buckling behaviour of existing bow-string arch bridges, it is necessary to deal with the imperfections that influence the global stability of their superstructures. Direct quantification of the material imperfections represents an extremely difficult task for this type of structure. On the other hand, the geometrical imperfections can be measured in more detail by using special scanners or high-accuracy surveying instruments. This contribution represents a beginning part of the research activities focusing on the real values of geometric imperfections of existing steel arch bridges using three-dimensional (3D) scanning. The possibility of using these data for further theoretical and numerical analysis based on the finite element method (FEM) and for further creating the building information modelling (BIM) of the bridges is proposed. When verifying the stability of bow-string arch bridges, much higher attention has to be paid to the out-of-plane stability of the arches. The numerical models of an existing bridge superstructure were developed to execute a nonlinear analysis with geometrical imperfections included. Both the theoretical and actual imperfections obtained by 3D scanning were taken into account. The obtained data, their comparison and the applicability of the presented method are finally discussed.
Highlights
Arch bridges are mainly used for bridges of medium and larger spans
In contrast to a deck-arch bridges, where the vertical columns act destabilizing to arches, the buckling length in the plane of the bow-string arch is controlled by usually vertical ties, as was proved by calculations using numerical models
The geometrically nonlinear analyses (GNIA) of these systems can be executed with equivalent geometric imperfections derived from measured deformations and scaled to reflect both real geometrical and structural imperfections, respectively
Summary
In Slovak conditions, arch bridges are mainly used as arches stiffened by a tensioned beam, since they are architecturally suitable for bridging wide water courses or flat valleys. They are proposed in cases where the construction depth is limited and wider spans need to be bridged than are usually allowed by truss bridges, and where the application of cable-based bridge systems is either uneconomical or inappropriate because of their lower rigidity. In contrast to a deck-arch bridges, where the vertical columns act destabilizing to arches, the buckling length in the plane of the bow-string arch is controlled by usually vertical ties (hangers), as was proved by calculations using numerical models
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