Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
ACI Avances en Ciencias e Ingenierías

SECTION C: ENGINEERING

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2021)

Modeling and analysis of a prestressed girder bridge prior to diagnostic load testing

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18272/aci.v13i2.2295
Submitted
May 15, 2021
Published
2021-11-22

Abstract

Progressive deterioration is a problem that affects road infrastructure, especially bridges. This requires the development of methods for its adequate detection and revision, one of them being load testing. Within load testing, finite element analysis (FEA) models provide initial information to understand the behavior of a structure and plan accordingly, which represents a fundamental step towards a precise structural evaluation of a bridge. This study focused on the modeling and analysis of the static response of the bridge over the river Lili in Cali, Colombia, a prestressed girder bridge programmed to undergo a diagnostic load test. A linear FEA model was created with information from a manual survey and from other bridges"™ plans designed and built under the regulations in force at the time. Due to the absence of plans and design specifications for the bridge, variations were applied to certain model parameters (stiffness of diaphragms and elastomeric bearings), to quantify their effect on the overall behavior of the bridge. The analysis included obtaining the critical position for the design vehicles, the transversal distribution of stresses and determining the influence of the variation parameters in the response of the structure. Results showed that the critical combinations for bending moment and shear were when the loads were the closest to the exterior girders, being these elements the most affected. The variation on the modulus of elasticity for the diaphragms and the stiffness of the elastomeric bearings did not significantly influence the results for bending moment and shear, nor the critical position. Girder distribution factors (GDF) from the model were compared to previous research, finding similarities in shape and value with other FEA models and experimental results. Finally, an instrumentation plan focused on the girders of the bridge was proposed based on the zones where the maximum effects are expected. The findings in this study show how linear FEA models provide initial but relevant information regarding the critical position of design vehicles, the distribution of stresses and the expected values for bending moment and shear under design loads.

viewed = 544 times

References

  1. American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). (2021). Bridge Conditions Report. Washington, D.C. Retrieved from https://artbabridgereport.org/reports/2021-ARTBA-Bridge-Report.pdf
  2. Muñoz, E., & Gómez, D. (2011). Análisis de la evolución de los daños en los puentes de Colombia. Bogotá: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
  3. Transportation Research Board. (2019). Primer on Bridge Load Testing. Transportation Research Circular, no. E-C257. Retrieved from http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec257.pdf
  4. Lantsoght, E. (2017). Proof load testing of reinforced concrete bridges: Experience from a program of testing in the Netherlands. 1er Congreso Iberoamericano de Ingeniería Civil. Retrieved from: http://pure.tudelft.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/30723991/Proof_load_testing_of_reinforced_concrete_bridges_Ing._Eva_Lastsoght.pdf
  5. Wang, C., & Zhang, H. (2020). A probabilistic framework to optimize the target proof load for existing bridges. Innovative Infraestructure Solutions. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-020-0261-9
  6. Alampalli,S., Frangopol, D., Grimson, J., Halling, M., Kosnik, D., Lantsoght, E., Yang, D., Zhou, Y. (2020). Bridge Load Testing: State-of-the-practice. ASCE. doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0001678
  7. Lantsoght, E., de Boer, A., van der Veen, C., Hordijk, D. (2019). Optimizing Finite Element Models for Concrete Bridge Assessment with Proof Load Testing. Frontiers in Built Environment. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2019.00099
  8. Nemetschek Group. (2011). Basic Concept Training Scia Engineer 2011.0. Hasselt.
  9. Timoshenko, S. & Woinowsky-Krieger, S. (1987). Theory of Plates and Shells. McGraw-Hill.
  10. American Concrete Institute (2014). Building code requirements for structural concrete (ACI 318-14). ACI Committee 318.
  11. Reinders, S. (2016). Service life monitoring of concrete bridges. Delft: Delft University of Technology.
  12. Asociación Colombiana de Ingeniería Sísmica - AIS. (2014). Norma Colombiana de Diseño de Puentes CCP14. Bogotá D.C.
  13. Torres, E. (2013) Diseño de Puentes - Interpretación del código AASHTO. Quito: Abya - Yala.
  14. Cole, T.J., & Altman, D.G. (2017). Statistics Notes: What is a percentage difference?. BMJ Research Methods & Reporting. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j3663
  15. Lefebvre, P. (2010). The instrumentation, testing, and structural modeling of a steel girder bridge for long-term structural health monitoring. Master’s Theses and Capstones, University of New Hampshire. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/215515969.pdf
  16. Lobo, S., & Christenson, R. (2018). A simplified shear-strain based bridge weigh-in-motion method for in-service highway bridges. Métodos & Materiales, 8, 11-22. doi: https://doi.org/10.15517/mym.v8i1.34551
  17. Eamon, C., Chehab, A., & Parra-Montesinos, G. (2016). Field Tests of Two Prestressed-Concrete Girder Bridges for Live-Load Distribution and Moment Continuity. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 21(5). doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0000859
  18. Idriss, R., & Liang, Z. (2010). In-Service Shear and Moment Girder Distribution Factors in Simple-Span Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridge: Measured with Built-in Optical Fiber Sensor System. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2172(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.3141/2172-16
  19. Huang, D., Wang, T.L., & Shahawy, M. (1993). Impact Studies of Multigirder Concrete Bridges. Journal of Structural Engineering, 119(8). doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1993)119:8(2387)
  20. Araujo, M.C. (2009). Slab-on-girder prestressed concrete bridges: linear and nonlinear finite element analysis and experimental load tests. LSU Doctoral Dissertations, 1119. Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/1119
  21. Green, T., Yazdani, N., & Spainhour, L. (2004). Contribution of Intermediate Diaphragms in Enhancing Precast Bridge Girder Performance. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 18(3). doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3828(2004)18:3(142)
  22. Schwarz, M., & Laman, J. (1999). Response of Prestressed Concrete I-Girder Bridges to Live Load. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 6(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1084-0702(2001)6:1(1)

Most read articles by the same author(s)