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Construction of tunnels and small- to medium-span bridges is a $12 billion per year industry in the United States, with a significant portion going into buried arch structures. Notwithstanding such expenditure, modern arch design and construction, in many cases, is highly conservative. This is because the closed-form solutions used by most designers today do not correctly account for soil-structure interaction. In fact, soil-structure interaction makes a closed form solution impossible. With the advent of high power computers in recent years, some designers have turned to finite element (FE)modeling as the main vehicle of analysis. Such numerical procedures provide an accurate approximation of physical behavior. Practices using FE analysis for buried arch design almost exclusively use two-dimensional models because they are faster to set up and analyze than three-dimensional models and cost substantially less. However, 2-D models fail to account for the stiffness of the structure and spread of discrete loads in the third-dimension. Both the 1996 and 1998 AASHTO-LRFD Bridge Design Specifications address this problem, providing methods of load reduction. Much of the current reduction, however, is based on research done on concrete bridge decks, and does not account for continuous elastic support or the geometry of the structure. This results in a conservative analysis at low fill covers (<10') and/or increasing spans (>20’). This research provides a method to rectify the discrepancy that arises in discrete loading of 2-D FE models of semi-flexible buried concrete arch bridge, culvert, and tunnel systems due to the plane-strain assumption. Rectification is accomplished by providing a correlation between the deflection of a beam-on-elastic-foundation analysis and a distribution length by which the load in 2-D analysis is reduced. Distribution lengths are derived using bending energy ratios. The correlation considers structural geometry, overburden height, and base soil stiffness. Reduction of the 2-D design load by the proposed distribution length results in shear forces and bending moments nearly equivalent to those obtained from 3-D analysis in the plane of discrete load application transverse to the structure. Less conservative results are also obtained for axial forces. These results are intended for use on structures that are four times the span in length, or longer.

more funding must be allocated for their rehabilitation or replacement. The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Long-Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) Program has been developed to help bridge stakeholders make the best decisions concerning the allocation of these funds. This is done through the use of high quality data obtained through numerous testing processes. As part of the LTBP Pilot Program, researchers have performed live load tests on the U.S. Route 15 Southbound bridge over Interstate-66. The main performance and behavior characteristics focused on are service strain and deflection, wheel load distribution, dynamic load allowance, and rotational behavior of bridge bearings. Data from this test will be used as a tool in developing and refining a plan for long-term bridge monitoring. This includes identifying the primarily loaded girders and their expected range of response under ambient traffic conditions. Information obtained from this test will also aid in the refinement of finite element models by offering insight into the performance of individual bridge components, as well as overall global behavior. Finally, the methods and results of this test have been documented to allow for comparison with future testing of this bridge, which will yield information concerning the changes in bridge behavior over time. / Master of Science

Este estudo fundamenta-se na análise numérica, via elementos finitos, de pontes em vigas mistas; considera-se a interação de todos os elementos que compõem a estrutura na transferência dos esforços até os apoios. Inicialmente apresenta-se um estado da arte sobre o projeto, execução e análise de pontes em vigas mistas, identificando as simplificações e deficiências existentes no cálculo destas estruturas. O estudo do comportamento estrutural de tabuleiros mistos foi abordado do ponto de vista tridimensional, sendo para isto modelados e analisados tabuleiros com 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 e 26 m. de vão mediante a utilização do programa ANSYS, versão 5.4. Foi estudada a influência que a presença de contraventamentos, espessura da laje, vão e posição da carga móvel na seção transversal exercem na distribuição de cargas nas vigas, sendo para isto considerado comportamento elástico-linear. Realizou-se também uma abordagem ao estudo da redundância estrutural de tabuleiros mistos considerando as não linearidades física e geométricas do conjunto. Foi verificado que tabuleiros sobre duas e quatro vigas mantêm o equilíbrio estático após que uma das vigas sofre fratura, sem experimentar grandes deslocamentos (inferiores ou ligeiramente superiores ao limite L/500). / This work is based in the numerical analysis, by finite elements, of bridge decks with composite beams; in this study the interaction of all the elements that compose the structure is considered in the transference of the efforts to the supports. lnitially, a state of the art on the design, construction and analysis of composite bridge decks is presented, identifying the simplifications adopted, lack of information at the present on the subject and aspects that need further studies on this bridges. The study of the structural behavior of composite bridge decks was approached from a three-dimensional point of view, modeling and analyzing composite decks with 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 m of span by using the software ANSYS, version 5.4. The influence that the bracing system, thickness of the slab, span and live load position on the deck, over the load distribution in the composite beams, considering linear-elastic behavior, was studied. An approach to the study of the structural redundancy of composite bridge decks was also made, considering the physical and geometric nonlinearities of the structure. lt was verified that decks consisting of two and four composite beams maintain the static equilibrium after the fracture of one of the beams, without large displacements (inferior or lightly superior to the limit L/500).

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre o comportamento de tubos metálicos enterrados, submetidos ao carregamento móvel de um veículo. Foram realizadas análises numéricas utilizando o método de elementos finitos para o cálculo da tensão vertical no solo, momento fletor, tensão normal e deformação diametral vertical do tubo. Foram analisados 630 modelos, obtidos da variação das características do solo (módulo de elasticidade) com o objetivo de representar diferentes níveis de compactação do solo, características do tubo (espessura da parede do tubo) e da altura da camada de recobrimento do solo. O programa utilizado nas análises numéricas foi o SIGMA/W do pacote Geostudio. Os resultados encontrados apontam que as maiores tensões no solo, momentos, tensões normais e deformações no tubo ocorrem devido ao carregamento móvel quando este se localiza exatamente acima do tubo. Observou-se que o aumento da espessura da camada de solo que recobre a tubulação causa uma diminuição de 15% a 55% das tensões verticais no solo, momentos fletores, tensões normais e deformações no tubo. Foram desenvolvidas equações para o cálculo das deformações para os casos estudados. Foi também desenvolvido um procedimento para a moldagem de corpos de prova de areia no estado fofo (índice de vazios máximo) para realização de ensaios triaxiais. / This paper presents a study on the behavior of buried metal pipes, subjected to the vehicle live load. Numerical analysis using the finite element method to calculate the vertical stress were made on the ground, bending moment, normal stress and diametral vertical pipe deformation. 630 models were analyzed, obtained from the variation of the soil characteristics (modulus) in order to represent different levels of soil compaction, the pipe characteristics (thickness of the pipe wall) and the height of the soil cover layer. The program used in numerical analysis was the SIGMA/W Geostudio package. The results show that the highest stresses on the ground moments, normal stresses and strains in the tube occur due to live loading when it is located just above the tube. It was observed that increasing the thickness of the layer of soil covering the pipe causes a decrease from 15% to 55% of the vertical tensions in the ground, bending moments, normal stress and strain on the pipe. Equations were developed to calculate the deformations in the cases studied. It has also developed a procedure for molding sand specimens into the soft state (maximum void ratio) to perform triaxial tests.

Este estudo fundamenta-se na análise numérica, via elementos finitos, de pontes em vigas mistas; considera-se a interação de todos os elementos que compõem a estrutura na transferência dos esforços até os apoios. Inicialmente apresenta-se um estado da arte sobre o projeto, execução e análise de pontes em vigas mistas, identificando as simplificações e deficiências existentes no cálculo destas estruturas. O estudo do comportamento estrutural de tabuleiros mistos foi abordado do ponto de vista tridimensional, sendo para isto modelados e analisados tabuleiros com 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 e 26 m. de vão mediante a utilização do programa ANSYS, versão 5.4. Foi estudada a influência que a presença de contraventamentos, espessura da laje, vão e posição da carga móvel na seção transversal exercem na distribuição de cargas nas vigas, sendo para isto considerado comportamento elástico-linear. Realizou-se também uma abordagem ao estudo da redundância estrutural de tabuleiros mistos considerando as não linearidades física e geométricas do conjunto. Foi verificado que tabuleiros sobre duas e quatro vigas mantêm o equilíbrio estático após que uma das vigas sofre fratura, sem experimentar grandes deslocamentos (inferiores ou ligeiramente superiores ao limite L/500). / This work is based in the numerical analysis, by finite elements, of bridge decks with composite beams; in this study the interaction of all the elements that compose the structure is considered in the transference of the efforts to the supports. lnitially, a state of the art on the design, construction and analysis of composite bridge decks is presented, identifying the simplifications adopted, lack of information at the present on the subject and aspects that need further studies on this bridges. The study of the structural behavior of composite bridge decks was approached from a three-dimensional point of view, modeling and analyzing composite decks with 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 m of span by using the software ANSYS, version 5.4. The influence that the bracing system, thickness of the slab, span and live load position on the deck, over the load distribution in the composite beams, considering linear-elastic behavior, was studied. An approach to the study of the structural redundancy of composite bridge decks was also made, considering the physical and geometric nonlinearities of the structure. lt was verified that decks consisting of two and four composite beams maintain the static equilibrium after the fracture of one of the beams, without large displacements (inferior or lightly superior to the limit L/500).

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre o comportamento de tubos metálicos enterrados, submetidos ao carregamento móvel de um veículo. Foram realizadas análises numéricas utilizando o método de elementos finitos para o cálculo da tensão vertical no solo, momento fletor, tensão normal e deformação diametral vertical do tubo. Foram analisados 630 modelos, obtidos da variação das características do solo (módulo de elasticidade) com o objetivo de representar diferentes níveis de compactação do solo, características do tubo (espessura da parede do tubo) e da altura da camada de recobrimento do solo. O programa utilizado nas análises numéricas foi o SIGMA/W do pacote Geostudio. Os resultados encontrados apontam que as maiores tensões no solo, momentos, tensões normais e deformações no tubo ocorrem devido ao carregamento móvel quando este se localiza exatamente acima do tubo. Observou-se que o aumento da espessura da camada de solo que recobre a tubulação causa uma diminuição de 15% a 55% das tensões verticais no solo, momentos fletores, tensões normais e deformações no tubo. Foram desenvolvidas equações para o cálculo das deformações para os casos estudados. Foi também desenvolvido um procedimento para a moldagem de corpos de prova de areia no estado fofo (índice de vazios máximo) para realização de ensaios triaxiais. / This paper presents a study on the behavior of buried metal pipes, subjected to the vehicle live load. Numerical analysis using the finite element method to calculate the vertical stress were made on the ground, bending moment, normal stress and diametral vertical pipe deformation. 630 models were analyzed, obtained from the variation of the soil characteristics (modulus) in order to represent different levels of soil compaction, the pipe characteristics (thickness of the pipe wall) and the height of the soil cover layer. The program used in numerical analysis was the SIGMA/W Geostudio package. The results show that the highest stresses on the ground moments, normal stresses and strains in the tube occur due to live loading when it is located just above the tube. It was observed that increasing the thickness of the layer of soil covering the pipe causes a decrease from 15% to 55% of the vertical tensions in the ground, bending moments, normal stress and strain on the pipe. Equations were developed to calculate the deformations in the cases studied. It has also developed a procedure for molding sand specimens into the soft state (maximum void ratio) to perform triaxial tests.

The topic of this Thesis is a study of the behavior of flexible metal large-span culverts during the construction and the operation. The aim is to analyze the behavior of the structure as a result of an unequally dropping support and a position of the load to the construction in relation to the soil cover height above the top of the steel construction. The Thesis is theoretical and based on the numerical parametric study.

Adjacent precast, prestressed box beam bridges have a history of poor performance and have been observed to exhibit common types of deterioration including longitudinal cracking, concrete spalling, and deterioration of the concrete top flange. The nature of these types of deterioration leads to uncertainty of the extent and effect of deterioration on structural behavior. Due to limitations in previous research and understanding of the strength of deteriorated box beam bridges, conservative assumptions are being made for the assessment and load rating of these bridges. Furthermore, the design of new box beam bridges, which can offer an efficient and economical solution, is often discouraged due to poor past performance. Therefore, the objective of this research is to develop improved recommendations for the inspection, load rating, and design of adjacent box beam bridges. Through a series of bridge inspections, deteriorated box beams were identified and acquired for experimental testing. The extent of corrosion was determined through visual inspection, non-destructive evaluation, and destructive evaluation. Non-destructive tests (NDT) included the use of connectionless electrical pulse response analysis (CEPRA), ground penetrating radar (GPR), and half-cell potentials. The deteriorated capacity was determined through structural testing, and an analysis procedure was developed to estimate deteriorated behavior. A rehabilitation procedure was also developed to restore load transfer of adjacent beams in cases where shear key failures are suspected. Based on the understanding of deterioration developed through study of deteriorated adjacent box beam bridges, improved inspection and load rating procedure are provided along with design recommendations for the next generation of box beam bridges.