Abstract
This paper experimentally investigates the working behavior characteristics of an integral abutment curved box-girder (IACBG) bridge model based on the structural stressing state theory. First, the stressing state of the bridge model is represented by generalized strain energy density (GSED) values at each load Fj and characterized by the normalized GSED sum Ej,norm. Then, the Mann-Kendall (M-K) criterion is adopted to detect the stressing state mutations of the bridge model from Ej,norm-Fj curve in order to achieve the new definition of structural failure load. Correspondingly, the stressing state modes for the bridge model’s sections and internal forces are reached in order to investigate their variation characteristics and the coordinated working behavior around the updated failure load. The unseen knowledge is revealed by studying working behavior characteristics of the bridge model. Therefore, the analytical results could provide a new structural analysis method, which updates the definition of the existing structural failure load and provides a reference for future design of the bridges.
Highlights
Nowadays, bridge design should consider safety, applicability, and aesthetics, and pay attention to reducing maintenance or even be ‘free maintenance’ in the future, in order to achieve the lowest total price of the whole life of the bridge [1]
The authors define the load corresponding to the qualitative mutation of structural stressing state as updated failure load, which differs from the existing definition
The stressing state theory is applied into an investigation of the working behavior for an Theabutment stressing curved state theory is applied into anrevealing investigation of the state’s working behavior for an integral box-girder bridge model, its stressing qualitative mutation integral abutment curved box-girder bridge model, revealing its stressing state’s qualitative characteristic at a certain load and unseen working behavior features in the loading process
Summary
Bridge design should consider safety, applicability, and aesthetics, and pay attention to reducing maintenance or even be ‘free maintenance’ in the future, in order to achieve the lowest total price of the whole life of the bridge [1]. As for the study on the mechanical performance of integral abutment bridges, the major research directions consist in soil-structure interaction, thermal effects, and so on. Some researchers have established detailed and three dimensional finite element models of IACBG bridges according to the monitor of practical bridges and evaluate the effects of bridge curvature, skew and abutment backfill soil type under thermal loading [19,20]. Due to the uncertainty of abutments backfill and the complexity of structural stress, IACBG bridges only adopt the semi-empirical and semi-theoretical methods to design practical structures and to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of them. The hidden working behavior characteristics of the bridge are revealed through the innovative method base on structural stressing state theories
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