Structural Evaluation of Torsional Rigidity of New FRP–Aluminum Space Truss Bridge with Rigid Transverse Braces

Abstract

A unique fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)–aluminum spatial truss structure with upper I-type, transverse beam braces was developed for deployable bridging, yielding the operational advantages of bestraddled erection bridges. Experimental testing and numerical simulation were performed to evaluate the torsional rigidity of a fabricated cantilever, full-scale experimental structure. The predictions obtained based on a computational finite element model were strongly consistent with the experimental results. Moreover, a numerical decomposition and reconstruction procedure was employed to understand the load-bearing mechanism of the structure. The results demonstrated that the improved transverse braces possessed adequate capacity for providing sufficient rigidity and lateral stability to the complete twin-treadway structure under torsion. The torsional center of the improved structure was located at the axis of symmetry of the twin-treadway bridge deck. The representative torsional rigidity of the twin-treadway module was approximately 87.5 kN·m2/degree. Compared to the original construction, the improved structure exhibited only minor discrepancies regarding the torsional rigidity, and consistent characteristics in terms of the load-bearing mechanism. The torsional rigidity of the improved twin-treadway structure was primarily generated by the vertical bending rigidities of its two parallel single treadways through the rigid transverse braces. This significant finding specifically pertains to the unique twin-treadway hybrid bridge. The results presented in this work are expected to provide valuable insights, which could, in turn, lead to further the development of similar lightweight structural systems.