FEM Based Advanced Torsion Analysis of Curved Steel Box Girder Bridges

Fenta, Wubie Enyew (2014) FEM Based Advanced Torsion Analysis of Curved Steel Box Girder Bridges. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

Due to efficient dissemination of congested traffic, economic considerations, and aesthetic desirability, horizontally curved steel box girder bridges are usually best preferred structural unites irrespective of their production costs, in modern highway systems, including urban interchanges. The most important advantage of the steel box girder bridge is, however, its torsion resistance. Torsion effects in those complicated structural unites, are usually none considerable and causes a fatal effect. Although a significant number of researches have been made on a manual based and advanced analysis for many years to better understand the behavior of all types of steel box girder bridges, however, an interactive Finite Element Modeling to analyze the integral system of the curved steel box girder bridges haven’t been formalized, yet. Hence, an advanced, clear and more accurate analysis procedure is required to better understand curved steel box girder bridges. The non-composite steel section must support both the fresh concrete and the entire construction loads hence steel box girders are at their critical stage during construction. Although the degree of fatality varies based on the structural integrity of the bracing, stiffening and box girder unites any eccentric loads such as centrifugal, vehicular and gravity loads induce torsion and distortional effects. Handling of the seventh Degree of freedom associated with the distortional stresses is highly desired in this paper. All mechanics of the analysis procedure and techniques of the FEM modeling have all been addressed so as to have a convenient result. In the current study, non composite curved steel boxes are analyzed with shell elements using the three dimensional finite element analysis and their behavior is investigated. The general purpose program, the ANSYS software, is centrally used to model and analyze the integral system. Temperature effects and all realistic load combinations haven’t been addressed in this research. Principles of applications of all the fundamental bridge loadings and reaction behavior of the integral structural system have generally been dealt. Further, the basics of the finite element formulations with alternative and more consistent approaches are presented to verify program results. An additional curved box girder (structural long spanning unite) with a rectangular (less stiff) section and higher radius of curvature is modeled and analyzed to further investigate and verify warping effects for the fact that the main subject doesn’t clearly signify its fatality. The loading orientation is arranged in such a way that it creates the worst warp. Regardless of its lesser economic desirability as to the current trend, curved steel box girder bridges are best recommended for long span ground requirements where torsion resistance is highly demanded. The reason why it is less important in bridge structures and of less construction culture is, because structural steel elements are generally cost incurring to manufacture, process and mobilize. Less fire resistance is also the drawback of steel structures unless treated carefully.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Civil and Environmental Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering T Technology > TG Bridge engineering
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Andriamparany Edilbert RANOARIVONY
Date Deposited:	04 Jul 2018 08:32
Last Modified:	04 Jul 2018 08:32
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/6556

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