Seismic Responses of a Cable-Stayed Bridge with Consideration of Uniform Temperature Load

Wancheng Yuan,Xinzhi Dang,Jian Zhong,Junjun Guo

doi:10.3390/app6120408

Abstract

The effects of temperature load on the dynamic responses of cable-stayed bridges have attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. However, these investigations mainly focus on the influence of temperature on the dynamic characteristics of structures, such as vibration mode and frequency. This paper discusses the effects of uniform temperature changes on the seismic responses of a cable-stayed bridge. A three dimensional finite element model of a cable-stayed bridge using OpenSees is established for nonlinear time history analysis, and uniform temperature load is applied to the prototype bridge before the conducting of seismic excitation. Three ground motion records are selected from the PEER strong motion database based on the design spectrum. Case studies are then performed considering the varying temperature and the connections between the deck and pylons of the bridge. The result shows that the seismic responses of the bridge are significantly increased with the consideration of temperature load. Meanwhile, the types between the deck and pylon also have notable impacts on the seismic responses of the bridge with and without temperature changes. This research could provide a reference for designers during the design phase of cable-stayed brides.

Highlights

In recent decades, cable-stayed bridges have been favored by bridge engineers due to their aesthetic configuration, fast and economical construction, and efficient utilization of materials.bridges of this type are susceptible to seismic excitation due to their low damping ratios and flexible components
It is necessary to investigate the seismic responses of cable-stayed bridges subjected to earthquake and uniform temperature
The main purpose of this article is to analyze the effects of uniform temperature on the seismic responses of a cable-stayed bridge

Summary

Introduction

Cable-stayed bridges have been favored by bridge engineers due to their aesthetic configuration, fast and economical construction, and efficient utilization of materials. The effects of uniform temperature changes on the responses of cable-stayed bridges are significant due to their long spans. It is necessary to investigate the seismic responses of cable-stayed bridges subjected to earthquake and uniform temperature. The impacts of near-fault ground motions [1,2] on the seismic responses of cable-stayed bridges were concerned by scholars, and different isolation devices [3,4,5] were designed to alleviate these influences. The effects of temperature on the vibration properties of long-span bridges have attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. It is necessary to analyze the seismic responses of cable-stayed bridges based on the existing thermal load, and nonlinearity of bridge components should be considered in this process. Comparisons are made between the responses of the bridge with and without accounting for uniform temperature to evaluate the effects of the uniform temperature on the seismic responses of the bridge

Description of the Prototype Bridge

Finite Element Model

Thermal and Earthquake Loads

Changes of Uniform Temperature Load

Deck to Pylon Connections

Findings

Conclusions