Structural analysis method of a pontoon-separated floating bridge connected by elastic hinges

Abstract

ABSTRACT An analytical method that can be generally applied to structural analysis of a pontoon-separated floating bridge connected by elastic hinges is proposed based on elastic foundation beam theory and Euler beam theory. This method can solve the displacement, rotation angle, bending moment and shearing force of a pontoon-separated floating bridge under vertical static loads. Validation of the method is established through comparing with the numerical results of AQWA software and FEM. Simultaneously, the main response characteristics of a pontoon-separated floating bridge and a floating pier are further investigated. The results reveal that the rotation stiffness of elastic hinges has a significant influence on the responses of the pontoon-separated floating bridge. Besides, the elastic deformation of the floating bridge can be ignored when the rotation stiffness of hinge is relatively small, while it needs to be considered seriously when the rotation stiffness of hinges reaches a certain value.