Research on the Mechanical Performance of a Mountainous Long-Span Steel Truss Arch Bridge with High and Low Arch Seats

• Published in: Buildings (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 12; p. 3037
• Main Authors: Tan, Yao, Shi, Junfeng, Liu, Peng, Tao, Jun, Zhao, Yueyue
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Arch bridges; Asymmetry; Bridge decks; Bridges; Computer software industry; Concrete; Design; design and construction; Environmental degradation; Failure modes; Finite element method; finite element model; Geometric nonlinearity; Highway construction; Influence; Investigations; Lateral stability; Mathematical models; Mechanical properties; mountainous area; Mountains; nonlinearity; Seats; Seismic engineering; stability; Steel; Steel structures; steel truss arch bridge; Sustainable development; Weather hazards; United States; China
• ISSN: 2075-5309; 2075-5309
• DOI: 10.3390/buildings13123037

The Loushui River Bridge is a mountainous long-span steel truss arch bridge with high and low arch seats. The design and construction of the bridge follow the principle of minimizing environmental damage and promoting sustainable development. In this article, the mechanical performance of this bridge is investigated experimentally and numerically at both the construction and operation stages. A series of validated finite element models were established for linear and nonlinear analyses by introducing geometric imperfections, geometric nonlinearities, and material nonlinearities. Then, several optimized models based on different types of design are compared with the original structure. The results indicate that the stability of the asymmetric bridge met the design requirements in both the construction and operation stages. However, the lateral stability and stiffness of the asymmetric bridge are weak due to the wind hazard that occurred in its mountain ravine. The out-of-plane instability from the short half-arch is the dominant failure mode, and the weakest area is where the arch ribs intersect with the bridge deck. It can be solved by adding more cross bracings without affecting the clearance above the bridge deck or by improving the material intensity of the arch.