Verification of numerical creep and shrinkage models in an arch bridge analysis

Abstract

AbstractThe highway arch bridge at Oparno in the Czech Republic is composed of the two independent almost identical structures; each of them carries one direction of the traffic. Each structure has a fixed end arch with the span of 135 m. The rise of the arch is 30 m. The bridge deck has a double T cross section and it is longitudinally prestressed. The arch was cast by cantilever method using temporary pylons with temporary stays. The arch is made of reinforced concrete and it is subjected preferably to compression. Therefore, it represents a suitable structure for comparison of strains and deflections obtained by measurements on the site and those obtained by a numerical analysis using different prediction models which may be applied in design calculations. The arch was equipped by vibrating wire strain gauges and the strains were recorded during the construction process and later during the early service life of the bridge. Additionally, the deflections of cantilevers during construction were also recorded. The measured values were used for adjustment of the form traveler and finally for evaluation of the prediction models. The bridge was built in the period 2008–2010. It was open to traffic significantly later (at the end of 2016) because the highway could not be finished earlier due to different nontechnical reasons.