Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1993. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-102).

The purpose of this study is to investigate how accurately the distribution factor method estimates the live load deflections under the principles of the 2012 AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (AASHTO LRFD specifications) compared to the results of the NISA finite element analysis software. The simple span bridge model analyzed is developed very similarly to the design example of the PCI Bridge Design Manual. The main difference is a shorter span length and smaller AASHTO-PCI bulb tee sections. Three main finite element models are created to estimate the live load deflections under the recommended live load conditions as per AASHTO LRFD specifications. The first model is simulated with simple support conditions. The purpose of this model is two-fold: compare the deflections to the distribution factor method and to the deflections of the second model that is simulated with elastomeric steel reinforced bearing pads. Thus, the stiffnesses of the elastomeric bearing pads of the second model are varied within the AASHTO LRFD specifications acceptable limits and under low temperature conditions the stiffness is increased accordingly for two cases. The purpose is to investigate if the stiffness have any significant affect on the deflections of the girders. Then a third model is created to investigate if the removal of the intermediate diaphragms have any affect on the deflections. The results of the first and second models, including the models with the allowed varied stiffnesses of the bearing pads, found only the interior girders deflecting up to 4% more and the exterior girders were deflecting up to 5.55% less than the estimates of the distribution factor method. In the case when the diaphragms are removed, the deflections of the inner most interior girders are deflecting up to 10.85% more compared to the same girders of the model which includes the intermediate diaphragms and the bearing pads. In the unique case of the second model where the bearing pads may stiffen significantly under low temperatures, the girders are deflecting up to 23% less than when at room temperature conditions. All these findings and other summarized results are discussed in greater detail in this study.

Pontes são estruturas denominadas obras de arte ou obras especiais, utilizadas em rotas e vias de comunicação, possibilitando que veículos atravessem obstáculos naturais ou artificiais como, por exemplo, rios. Tais estruturas são calculadas e construídas considerando os esforços aos quais serão submetidas em serviço e sua distribuição na estrutura. Além disso, também existe a necessidade de se avaliar as frequências naturais de vibração para garantir a segurança das mesmas. No presente trabalho são analisados alguns problemas relacionados às vibrações de pontes e viadutos em grelha, resultantes das variações de rigidez e massa nessas estruturas. Essa análise foi feita considerando-se que vibrações excessivas não condizem com o conforto humano e durabilidade da ponte. Ademais, para a estrutura é interessante fugir do efeito de ressonância, que acontece quando a frequência de excitação coincide com uma das frequências naturais de oscilação do sistema. Essa condição faz o sistema vibrar em amplitudes cada vez maiores, podendo causar inclusive a ruína. Para estudar formas de sair de uma frequência natural não amortecida indesejada, foi realizada uma pesquisa paramétrica das características dinâmicas deste tipo de estrutura, modificando parâmetros como rigidez (pela distribuição de longarinas e de transversinas), massa (devido à alteração das dimensões) e danos estruturais causados durante a vida útil da estrutura. Com intuito de estudar diversos modelos, foram adotadas três diferentes situações de projeto: superestrutura com variadas alturas de longarinas e transversinas, da qual foi possível concluir que a altura da longarina tem mais impacto na frequência natural não amortecida da estrutura que a transversina; pequenos defeitos ou danos na estrutura e o efeito de uma longarina rompida para os quais foram comparadas suas frequências naturais não amortecidas. As análises foram realizadas pelo Método dos Elementos Finitos, utilizando-se o programa comercial SAP2000. / Bridges are structures sometimes referred as works of art or special works, used on routes and roads that allow vehicles to cross natural or artificial obstacles, such as rivers. Such structures are calculated and constructed considering the efforts to which they will be submitted in service and their distribution in the structure. In addition, there is also a need to evaluate the natural frequencies of vibration to ensure their safety. In the present study some effects were analyzed related to the vibrations of grid bridges and viaducts resulting from changes in stiffness and mass in these structures. This analysis was made considering that excessive vibrations are not consistent with human comfort and bridge durability. For the structure, it is interesting to stay away from the resonance effect, which occurs when the excitation frequency matches one of the natural frequencies of oscillation of the system. This leads to oscillation with increasing amplitudes which may cause even the ruin. In order to study several models, three different design situations were adopted: superstructure with varying heights of beams and crossbeams, from which it was possible to conclude that the height of the beams has more impact on the undamped natural frequency of the structure than the crossbeams; small defects or damage to the structure and the effect of a ruptured beam for which its undamped natural frequencies were compared. The analysis were performed using the Finite Element Method, using the SAP2000 commercial program.

Orientador: Nilson Tadeu Mascia / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-28T22:42:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vanalli_Leandro_M.pdf: 5717454 bytes, checksum: a45d41ec97fbf94a146be405b7c4643b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2001 / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta uma análise sobre as distribuições de tensões e de deformações em sólidos anisotrópicos no âmbito da Teoria da Elasticidade. Neste contexto, para se estudar o comportamento mecânico, baseando-se no entendimento das tensões, deformações e deslocamentos, de vigas anisotrópicas, foram analisadas funções de tensão, consoantes com aquelas desenvolvidas por LEKHNITSKII et alo (1968) e HASHIN (1967). Comparações de resultados com estruturas de material isotrópico também foram alvo de investigação. Por fim, um estudo sobre vigas com seções constituídas de camadas foi realizado. Os resultados obtidos fornecem informações que contribuem para a aplicação dos materiais anisotrópicos em estruturas da construção civil / Abstract: This work presents an analysis on the distribution of stress and strain in anisotropic solids in the scope of the Theory of the Elasticity. In this context, to study the mechanical behavior, being based on the agreement of the stress, strain and deslocations, of anisotropic beams stress functions had been analyzed, consonants with those developed by LEKHNITSKll et alo (1968) and HASIllN (1967). Matchings of results with structures of isotropic material had also been goal of inquiry. Final1y, a study on beams with consisting sections of layers it was carried through. The obtained results supply information that contribute for application of the anisotropic materials in structures of the civil construction / Mestrado / Estruturas / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

This thesis deals with the strength analysis of girders handling 186 t. The main objective of this thesis is to perform strength control using the Finite Element Method. NX I-DEAS software was used to perform all the necessary calculations. Possible design changes for undersized components are also presented.

Post-tensioned segmental concrete box girders have been in use in the United States since the early 1970s. This unique bridge system uses post-tensioning to connect many smaller concrete bridge segments into very efficient long span bridges. However, because of the slender components, localized transverse bending becomes more critical when compared to more conventional bridge types. Bridge owners are finding that ratings for standard loads and permit trucks are often controlled by the transverse behavior of the girders near concentrated wheel loads. The popular analysis methods used today range from two dimensional frame models to three dimensional finite element models of the entire bridge. Currently, engineers must make sound engineering judgments on limited available information, while balancing safety and economy. To quantify and understand longitudinal and transverse behavior, the results from three live load tests of single cell segmental concrete box girder bridges are presented. Each bridge was instrumented with longitudinal and transverse strain sensors on at least two cross sections as well as rotation and deflection sensors, when possible. Two dimensional transverse frame models and three dimensional shell models were compared to the test results for each subject bridge. The two dimensional frame analyses using the common bottom web pin and roller boundary conditions provide mean absolute percent error in excess of 250%. Conversely, the newly introduced boundary conditions using pin supports at the top and bottom of each web was shown to reduce mean absolute percent error to 82%, which is on the same order of magnitude as longitudinal beamline analysis. The three dimensional shell models were insensitive to several changes including mesh fineness, number of spans modeled, and support conditions. Using uniform surface loading, the transverse modeling procedure was shown to provide significantly more accurate results than the common two dimensional frame models. A faster and more convenient analysis method using a program generated, structure specific, influence surface was also outlined. This method produced similar results when compared to the uniform surface loading method, while allowing additional automation for easier load application. / Ph. D.

For this research, prestress losses were monitored in six HPC bridge girders. These measured losses were compared to predicted losses according to four sources. Prestress loss predictive methods considered for this research were: 1- AASHTO LRFD 2004, 2- AASHTO LRFD 2004 Refined, 3- AASHTO LRFD 2007, and 4- AASHTO LRFD Lump Sum method. On the other hand, the camber prediction methods used in the present research were: 1- Time dependent method described in NCHRP Report 496, 2- PCI multiplier method, and 3- Improved PCI Multiplier method. For the purpose of this research, long-term prestress losses were monitored in select girders from Bridge 669 located near Farmington, Utah. Bridge 669 is a three-span prestress concrete girder bridge. The three spans have lengths of 132.2, 108.5, and 82.2 feet long, respectively. Eleven AASHTO Type VI precast prestressed girders were used to support the deck in each span. The deflection of several girders from a three-span, prestressed, precast concrete girder bridge was monitored for 3 years. Fifteen bridge girders were fabricated for the three span-bridge. Ten girders from the exterior spans had span length of 80 feet, and five girders from the middle span had span length of 137 feet. From the results of this research, in both the 82- and 132-foot-long, the AASHTO LRFD 2004 Refined Method does a better job predicting the prestress loss and it can be concluded that all the prediction methods do a better job predicting the loss for the larger girders. The Lump Sum method predicted very accurately the long term prestress loss for the 132-foot-long girders.

For the sustainability of today’s infrastructure, it is critical that engineers are capable of developing economical and safe design solutions for structures such as bridges and buildings. Multiple things must be considered for structural design. Structural members must be sized to resist applied loading conditions while satisfying design code capacity requirements. Design is also dependent on geometry, constructability, cost, material, availability, etc. The focus of optimization is to determine the best solution for a problem that is defined by a set of given constraints. For structural optimization applications, typically the problem is set up to determine the member cross-sectional areas that will yield an overall minimum weight or cost. It can also be a beneficial tool to compare different design alternatives quickly, especially in the preliminary stages of a project. Various approaches for solving optimization problems have been implemented in different fields of research. Traditional techniques such as linear/non-linear programming are available and more recently heuristic algorithms, which simulate patterns of natural phenomena, have been developed. For this research a heuristic Harmony Search (HS) algorithm is used to optimize a steel plate girder bridge. The HS algorithm is a more recent optimization concept that has been implemented within structural engineering research for solving many truss and frame optimization problems. There has been a limited amount of research on the HS algorithm for bridge structure optimization problems. For this project, HS algorithm will be used to optimize two steel plate girder bridges with varying cross-section configurations. Finite Element Models of the structures using the optimized properties will be used to verify demand/capacities and adequacy of the optimized design. Results will also be compared to traditional preliminary bridge sizing methodologies and programs. / Civil Engineering

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