Open Access

ARTICLE

Numerical Simulation-Based Analysis of the Impact of Overloading on Segmentally Assembled Bridges

by Donghui Ma¹, Wenqi Wu², Yuan Li¹, Lun Zhao¹, Yingchun Cai^2,*, Pan Guo^2,*, Shaolin Yang²

1 Shanghai Urban Construction and Maintenance Management Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200023, China
2 School of Water Conservancy and Transportation, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China

* Corresponding Authors: Yingchun Cai. Email: ; Pan Guo. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Health Monitoring and Rapid Evaluation of Infrastructures)

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring 2024, 18(5), 663-681. https://doi.org/10.32604/sdhm.2024.052677

Received 11 January 2024; Accepted 16 April 2024; Issue published 19 July 2024

Abstract

Segmentally assembled bridges are increasingly finding engineering applications in recent years due to their unique advantages, especially as urban viaducts. Vehicle loads are one of the most important variable loads acting on bridge structures. Accordingly, the influence of overloaded vehicles on existing assembled bridge structures is an urgent concern at present. This paper establishes the finite element model of the segmentally assembled bridge based on ABAQUS software and analyzes the influence of vehicle overload on an assembled girder bridge structure. First, a finite element model corresponding to the target bridge is established based on ABAQUS software, and the load is controlled to simulate vehicle movement in each area of the traveling zone at different times. Second, the key cross-sections of segmental girder bridges are monitored in real time based on the force characteristics of continuous girder bridges, and they are compared with the simulation results. Finally, a material damage ontology model is introduced, and the structural damage caused by different overloading rates is compared and analyzed. Results show that the finite element modeling method is accurate by comparing with on-site measured data, and it is suitable for the numerical simulation of segmental girder bridges; Dynamic sensors installed at 1/4L, 1/2L, and 3/4L of the segmental girder main beams could be used to identify the dynamic response of segmental girder bridges; The bottom plate of the segmental girder bridge is mostly damaged at the position where the length of the precast beam section changes and the midspan position. With the increase in load, damage in the direction of the bridge develops faster than that in the direction of the transverse bridge. The findings of this study can guide maintenance departments in the management and maintenance of bridges and vehicles.

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