Stress State and Several Problems of Estimating the Actual Operation of Effective Bridge Superstructures

Abstract

AbstractThe paper presents the results of investigating the under-load behaviour and some estimates of the mutual influence of the stress state of structural elements during the actual operation of effective bridge superstructures with orthotropic deck plates. A brief description of the design solution of orthotropic deck plates is presented. It is stated that, from a structural point of view, significant saving of steel in the case of orthotropic deck plates is due to the fact that the longitudinal stiffeners and decking of such plate are included in joint work with the main girders and, thus, are included in the upper flange cross section. Therefore, the normal stresses in the plate near the webs are always greater than at any distance from them. Estimating this irregularity is very important for determining the actual operating conditions of the orthotropic deck as a whole and is carried out in each case by performing calculations of the superstructure. The results of calculating the real bridge deck of the carriageway at the Dnieper Hydroelectric Power Station dam in Zaporozhye are described. Relevant recommendations are provided.KeywordsBridge structureSuperstructureOrthotropic deck plateComputational modelReduction factorStress