• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.851-865
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• 2014

Full penetration welded steel moment-resisting frame (SMRF) structures with welded box sections are widely employed in steel bridges, where a large number of steel bridges have been in operation for over fifty years in Japan. Welding defects such as incomplete penetration at the beam-column connections of these existing SMRF steel bridge piers were observed during inspection. Previous experiments conducted by the authors' team indicate that gusset stiffeners (termed fillets in this study) at the beam-web-to-column-web joint of the beam-column connections may play an important role on the seismic performance of the connections. This paper aims to experimentally study the effect of the fillet radius on seismic performance of the connections with large welding defects. Four specimens with different sizes of fillet radii were loaded under quasi-static incremental cyclic loading, where different load-displacement relations and cracking behaviors were observed. The experimental results show that, as the size of the fillet radius increases, the seismic performance of the connections can be greatly improved.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.261-274
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• 2021

In a railway bridge, the CRTS II slab ballastless track is subjected to interlayer connection failures, such as void under slab, mortar debonding, and fastener fracture. This study investigates the influences of interlayer connection failure on the safe operation of high-speed trains. First, a train-track-bridge coupled vibration model and a bridge-track deformation model are established to study the running safety of a train passing a deformed bridge with interlayer connection failure. For each type of the interlayer connection failure, the effects of the failure locations and ranges on the track irregularity are studied using the deformation model. Under additional bridge deformation, the effects of interlayer connection failure on the dynamic responses of the train are investigated by using the track irregularity as the excitation to the vibration model. Finally, parametric studies are conducted to determine the thresholds of additional bridge deformations considering interlayer connection failure. Results show that the interlayer connection failure significantly affects the running safety of high-speed train and must be considered in determining the safety thresholds of additional bridge deformation in the asset management of high-speed railway bridges.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.435-450
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• 2024

The geometry change of railway tracks significantly influences the safety and ride comfort of high-speed trains. This paper presents an analytical method to map the thermal deformations of a long-span arch bridge to the geometry of CRTS Type I double-block ballastless tracks for high-speed railways. A mechanical model of the bridge-track coupled system was developed to derive analytical formulae of the deformations of the track. The analytical formulae explicitly consider the mechanical properties of the bridge-track coupled system and the temperature profile. A three-dimensional finite element model was established to evaluate the predictions obtained from the analytical formulae. The results show that the analytical formulae provide accurate predictions of the track deformations caused by the thermal deformations of bridges. This research will promote the design, evaluation, and operation of high-speed railway bridges for improved safety and ride comfort in engineering practices.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.741-750
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to analyze the aerodynamic properties of the composite cable-stayed bridge by conducting three-dimensional wind tunnel tests. Focusing on the improved section of the bridge in the two-dimensional wind tunnel tests, the bridge's aerodynamic stability was estimated based on the angles of attack and the wind angles. The aerodynamic properties of vertical galloping, torsion galloping,and torsion flutter were also estimated based on the design wind velocity, and because much of the cable-stayed bridge was constructed using FCM, it was not sufficiently stiff during the bridge's construction. Therefore,the experience progressed by stages: from the full stage to the tow stage, and until the bridge became a single tower. Since the original plane was designed to be a steel box girder, the aerodynamic properties of the steel-box-type and composite-type girder could be compared. The results of this study can be utilized as basic data regarding the aerodynamic properties of medium-length and short composite cable-stayed bridges.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.95-110
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• 2010

A numerical model to simulate bond-slip behavior of composite beam bridges is introduced in this paper. Assuming a linear bond stress-slip relation along the interface between the slab and girder, the slip behavior is implemented into a finite element formulation. Adopting the introduced model, the slip behavior can be taken account even in a beam element which is composed of both end nodes only. Governing equation of the slip behavior, based on the linear partial interaction theory, can be determined from the force equilibrium and a constant curvature distribution across the section of a composite beam. Since the governing equation for the slip behavior requires the moment values at both end nodes, the piecewise linear distribution of the constant bending moment in an element is assumed. Analysis results by the model are compared with numerical results and experimental values, and load-displacement relations of composite beams were then evaluated to verify the validity of the proposed model.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2018

Integral abutment bridges (IABs) have no joint across the length of bridge and are therefore also known as jointless bridges. IABs have many advantages, such as structural integrity, efficiency, and stability. More importantly, IABs have proven to be have both low maintenance and construction costs. However, due to the restraints at both ends of the girder due to the absence of a gap (joint), special design considerations are required. For example, while replacing the deck slabs to extend the service life of the IAB, the buckling strength of the steel girder without a deck slab could be much smaller than the case with deck slab in place. With no deck slab, the addition of thermal expansion in the steel girders generates passive earth pressure from the abutment and if the applied axial force is greater than the buckling strength of the steel girders, buckling failure can occur. In this study, numerical simulations were performed to estimate the buckling strength of typical steel girders in IABs. The effects of girder length, the width of flange and thickness of flange, imperfection due to fabrication and construction errors on the buckling strengths of multiple and single girders in IABs are studied. The effect of girder spacing, span length ratio (for a three span girder) and self-weight effects on the buckling strength are also studied. For estimation of the reaction force of the abutment generated by the passive earth pressure of the soil, BA 42/96 (2003), PennDOT DM4 (2015) and the LTI proposed equations (2009) were used and the results obtained are compared with the buckling strength of the steel girders. Using the selected design equations and the results obtained from the numerical analysis, equations for preventing the buckling failure of steel girders during deck replacement for maintenance are presented.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.405-429
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• 2014

In this paper, it is aimed to determine the structural behavior of suspension bridges considering construction stages and different soil conditions. Bosporus Suspension Bridge connecting the Europe and Asia in Istanbul is selected as an example. Finite element model of the bridge is constituted using SAP2000 program considering existing drawings. Geometric nonlinearities are taken into consideration in the analysis using P-Delta large displacement criterion. The time dependent material strength of steel and concrete and geometric variations is included in the analysis. Time dependent material properties are considered as compressive strength, aging, shrinkage and creep for concrete, and relaxation for steel. To emphases the soil condition effect on the structural behavior of suspension bridges, each of hard, medium and soft soils are considered in the analysis. The structural behavior of the bridge at different construction stages and different soil conditions has been examined. Two different finite element analyses with and without construction stages are carried out and results are compared with each other. At the end of the analyses, variation of the displacement and internal forces such as bending moment, axial forces and shear forces for bridge deck and towers are given in detail. Also, displacement and stresses for bridge foundation are given with detail. It can be seen from the analyses that there are some differences between both analyses (with and without construction stages) and the results obtained from the construction stages are bigger. It can be stated that the analysis without construction stages cannot give the reliable solutions. In addition, soil condition have effect on the structural behavior of the bridge. So, it is thought that construction stage analysis using time dependent material properties, geometric nonlinearity and soil conditions effects should be considered in order to obtain more realistic structural behavior of suspension bridges.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.307-319
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• 2020

The upper chords in half-through truss bridges are prone to buckling due to a lack of the upper transverse connections. Taking into account geometric and material nonlinearity, nonlinear finite-element analysis of a simple supported truss bridge was carried out to exhibit effects of different types of initial imperfections. A half-wave of initial imperfection was proved to be effective in the nonlinear buckling analysis. And a parameter analysis of initial imperfections was also conducted to reveal that the upper chords have the greatest impact on the buckling, followed by the bottom chords, vertical and diagonal web members. Yet initial imperfections of transverse beams have almost no effect on the buckling. Moreover, using influence surface method, the combinatorial effects of initial imperfections were compared to demonstrate that initial imperfections of the upper chords play a leading role. Furthermore, the equivalent effective length coefficients of the upper chord were derived to be 0.2~0.28 by different methods, which implies vertical and diagonal web members still provide effective constraints for the upper chord despite a lack of the upper transverse connections between the two upper chords. Therefore, the geometrical and material nonlinear finite-element method is effective in the buckling analysis due to its higher precision. Based on nonlinear analysis and installation deviations of members, initial imperfection of l/500 is recommended in the nonlinear analysis of half-through truss bridges without initial imperfection investigation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.717-726
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• 2006

Traditional external post-tensioning method using either steel bars or tendons is commonly used as a retrofitting method for steel composite bridges. However, the method has some disadvantages such as stress concentration at anchorages and inefficient load-carrying capability of live loads. Multi-stepwise prestressing method using thermal expanded coverplate is a newly proposed prestressing method, which was originally developed for prestressing steel structures. A new retrofitting method for steel girder bridges founded on a simple concept of thermal expansion and contraction of cover plate, the method is a hybrid of and combines the advantages of external post-tensioning and thermal prestressing. In this paper, basic concepts of the method are presented and an illustrative experiment is introduced. From actual experimental data, the thermal prestressing effect was substantiated and the FEM approach for its analysis was verified. The retrofitting effects ofa single-span bridge were analyzed and the feasibility of the developed method was examined.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1019-1038
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• 2016

The use of high-strength concrete (HSC) in precast concrete segmental bridges (PCSBs) can minimize the superstructure geometry and reduce beam weight, which can accelerate the construction speed. Dry joints between the segments in PCSBs introduce discontinuity and require special attention in design and construction. Cracks in dry joints initiate more easily than those in epoxy joints in construction period or in service. Due to the higher rupture strength of HSC, the higher cracking resistance can be achieved. In this study, shear behavior of dry joints in PCSBs was investigated by experiments, especially focusing on cracking resistance and shear strength of HSC dry joints. It can be concluded that the use of HSC can improve the cracking resistance, shear strength, and ductility of monolithic, single-keyed and three-keyed specimens. The experimental results obtained from tests were compared with the AASHTO 2003 design provisions. The AASHTO 2003 provision underestimates the shear capacity of single-keyed dry joint C50 and C70 HSC specimens, underestimates the shear strength of three-keyed dry joint C70 HSC specimens, and overestimates the shear capacity of three-keyed dry joint C50 HSC specimens.