Secondary Member Contribution to the Behavior of Damaged Multigirder Highway Bridges

by Thomas A. Lenox, United States Military Acad, West Point, United States,
Celal N. Kostem, United States Military Acad, West Point, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Computing in Civil and Building Engineering

Abstract:

This paper examines the effects of secondary members (cross bracing and diaphragms) on the prediction of the response of damaged simple span steel multigirder bridges. Extensive analytical studies on the redundancy and overload behavior of steel multigirder bridge superstructures were conducted by the authors using three dimensional finite element models. This paper will help provide answers to several questions of concern to bridge engineers. How is secondary member behavior effected by severe damage to a main load carrying member of a multigirder bridges? How is secondary member behavior effected by overloading a damaged multigirder bridge? If the damage level is reduced from the most severe scenario, does the behavior change significantly. The cross bracing members appear to play a significant role in the redistribution of load after the exterior girder is damaged.

Subject Headings: Girder bridges | Steel bridges | Highway bridges | Finite element method | Structural behavior | Bracing | Vehicle loads

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