FINITE ELEMENT EVALUATION OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF COMPOSITE CONCRETE-STEEL BRIDGE DECKS

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is currently interested in the development of efficient and economical procedures to evaluate the structural integrity of existing bridge structures. The present project presents a finite-element-based methodology for the evaluation of the structural integrity of composite bridge decks. For purposes of illustrating the methodology, the New River Bridge along I-81 was used. The VDOT is interested in the evaluation of the structural integrity of this particular bridge. This bridge has an unusual composite concrete-steel deck. This bridge presents severe deterioration problems in the deck. The project entailed the development of a finite element model using ANSYS, the instrumentation of one of the spans of the bridge, and a load test. Actual strains in the girders of the bridge were measured and the results compared with those corresponding to the finite element model. The frequencies corresponding to the first and second modes of vibration of the particular span being studied were also measured in the field. These first two fundamental frequencies and the corresponding modes of vibration were also numerically estimated using ANSYS. Even though the field tests and the numerical results for these two frequencies correlate well, the former were found to be lower than the latter. This was taken as an indication that the bridge is currently loosing composite action. It was then concluded that unless extensive repairs are made, the bridge will continue to deteriorate until failure.

• Record URL:
  http://cts.virginia.edu/docs/UVACTS-14-13-8.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Virginia, Charlottesville

  Center for Transportation Studies, P.O. Box 400742
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22904-4742

  Research and Special Programs Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Roche, S
  • Orozco, C E
  • Gomez, J
  • Barton, F
  • Massarelli, P
• Publication Date: 2001-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 22 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Case studies; Composite structures; Deterioration; Field tests; Finite element method; Girders; Load tests; Strain (Mechanics); Vibration
• Identifier Terms: ANSYS (Computer program)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Structural integrity
• Geographic Terms: Virginia
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00979931
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UVACTS-14-13-8,, Final Report,, UVA/29472/CE01/104
• Contract Numbers: CE-PSU-0703-01
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 4 2004 12:00AM