O presente trabalho se propôs a estudar os esquemas estruturais alternativos para pontes esconsas e avaliar as modelagens matemáticas possíveis através de softwares especializados, como o SAP2000 e STRAP2010, a fim de identificar as melhores soluções e modelos para cada caso. O objetivo foi o de aprimorar os modelos de cálculo, especialmente no que diz respeito à previsão das reações de apoio e das forças cortantes, ponto mais delicado de obras esconsas. O estudo baseou-se em soluções de superestrutura em laje e em grelha, com ou sem transversinas, com esconsidade variável entre zero e sessenta graus, eixo longitudinal reto, modeladas por barras e elementos finitos. Não foi objeto deste estudo a influência da meso e da infraestrutura dessas pontes nos esforços na superestrutura. / The present work is proposed to study alternative structural schemes for skew bridges and to evaluate possible mathematical modeling through specialized software, such as SAP 2000 and STRAP2010, in order to identify the best solutions and models for each case. The aim was to improve the calculation models, especially with regard to the prediction of the support reactions and shear forces, most delicate point in skew bridges. The study was based on slab or grid, with or without transversal beams, superstructure solutions, with variable skew between zero and sixty degrees, straight longitudinal axis, modeled through bars and shell elements. It was not purpose of this study the influence of meso and infrastructure of the bridge on its superstructure.

O presente trabalho se propôs a estudar os esquemas estruturais alternativos para pontes esconsas e avaliar as modelagens matemáticas possíveis através de softwares especializados, como o SAP2000 e STRAP2010, a fim de identificar as melhores soluções e modelos para cada caso. O objetivo foi o de aprimorar os modelos de cálculo, especialmente no que diz respeito à previsão das reações de apoio e das forças cortantes, ponto mais delicado de obras esconsas. O estudo baseou-se em soluções de superestrutura em laje e em grelha, com ou sem transversinas, com esconsidade variável entre zero e sessenta graus, eixo longitudinal reto, modeladas por barras e elementos finitos. Não foi objeto deste estudo a influência da meso e da infraestrutura dessas pontes nos esforços na superestrutura. / The present work is proposed to study alternative structural schemes for skew bridges and to evaluate possible mathematical modeling through specialized software, such as SAP 2000 and STRAP2010, in order to identify the best solutions and models for each case. The aim was to improve the calculation models, especially with regard to the prediction of the support reactions and shear forces, most delicate point in skew bridges. The study was based on slab or grid, with or without transversal beams, superstructure solutions, with variable skew between zero and sixty degrees, straight longitudinal axis, modeled through bars and shell elements. It was not purpose of this study the influence of meso and infrastructure of the bridge on its superstructure.

The effects of support in steel bridges can present significant challenges during the construction. The tendency of girders to twist or layovers during the construction can present a particularly challenging problem regarding detailing cross-frames that provide bracing to steel girders. Methods of detailing cross-frames have been investigated in the past to identify some of the issues related to the behavior of straight and skewed steel bridges. However, the absence of a complete and simplified design approach has led to disputes between stakeholders, costly repairs and delays in the construction. The main objective of this research is to develop a complete and simplified design approach considering construction, fabrication and detailing of skewed bridges. This objective is achieved by comparing different detailing methods, understanding the mechanism by which skew effects develop in steel bridges, recommending simplified methods of analysis to evaluate them, and developing a complete and simplified design procedure for skew bridges. Girder layovers, flange lateral bending stress, cross-frame forces, component of vertical deflections, component of vertical reactions and lateral reactions or lateral displacements are affected by detailing methods and are referred as lack-of-fit effects. The main conclusion of this research is that lack-of-fit effects for the Final Fit detailing method at the steel dead load stage are equal and opposite to the lack-of-fit effects for the Erected Fit detailing method at the total dead load stage. This conclusion has helped using 2D grid analyses for estimating these lack-of-fit effects for different detailing methods. 3D erection simulations are developed for estimating fit-up forces required to attach the cross-frames to girders. The maximum fit-up force estimated from the 2D grid analysis shows a reasonable agreement with the one obtained from the erection simulations. The erection sequence that reduces the maximum fit-up force is also found by erection simulations. The line girder analysis is recommended for calculating cambers for the Final Fit detailing method. A combination of line girder analysis and 2D grid analysis is recommended for calculating cambers for the Erected Fit detailing method. Finally, flowcharts are developed that facilitate the selection of a detailing method and show the necessary design checks.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Different types of live loading due to traffic may act on bridges. The focus of this study is on normal traffic loading according to the South African specification of TMH7. Heavy vehicles are not included in normal traffic loading. TMH7 represents the code of practice for the design of highway bridges and culverts in South Africa. The aim of the study is to provide an insight into the flexural analysis of skew bridges, under the effects of normal traffic loading. The need for the study arose since the specification of TMH7 does not explicitly specify application patterns for normal traffic loading. Only the intensity of normal traffic loading is specified and it should be applied to yield the most adverse effects. For these reasons, a set of so-called standard application patterns are investigated and developed through the course of this study. The envelope of the values from the standard application patterns are compared to the most adverse application pattern for flexural effects in certain design regions of the bridge deck. Flexure, as in the context of this study, translates into the bending and twisting of the bridge deck under loads. A number of numerical experiments are performed for typical single span and multi-span continuous carriageways, where the standard application patterns are compared to the most adverse application patterns. The results from the numerical experiments are documented and compared as the angle of skew of the bridge deck increases in plan-view. For this purpose, the development of effective and specialized software was necessary. It was found that the set of standard application patterns can be used as a preliminary approximation for the most adverse effects of normal traffic loading, for specific flexural resultants in certain design regions of a bridge deck. However, for a large number of secondary flexural effects, the set of standard application patterns did not represent a good approximation for the most adverse values. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskillende tipes lewendige belasting, as gevolg van verkeer, kan op brûe inwerk. Die fokus van die studie is op normale verkeers-belasting volgens die Suid-Afrikaanse spesifikasie van TMH7. Swaar-voertuie word nie ingesluit by normale verkeers-belasting nie. TMH7 verteenwoordig die kode vir die ontwerp van padbrûe en duikers in Suid-Afrika. Die doel van die studie is om insig te verskaf in die buig-analise van skewe brûe, as gevolg van die werking van normale verkeers-belasting. Die rede vir hierdie studie ontstaan aangesien die spesifikasie van TMH7 nie eksplisiet aanwendingspatrone vir normale verkeers-belasting voorskryf nie. Slegs die intensiteit van normale verkeersbelasting word voorgeskryf en dit moet aangewend word om die negatiefste effekte te verkry. Vir hierdie redes word 'n versameling van sogenaamde standaard aanwendings-patrone deur die loop van die studie ondersoek en ontwikkel. Die omhullings-kurwe van die waardes wat deur die standaard patrone gelewer word, word vergelyk met die waarde van die aanwendings-patroon wat die negatiefste buig-effek in sekere ontwerp-areas van die brugdek veroorsaak. Buig-effekte, soos van toepassing op hierdie studie, verwys na buig en wring van die brugdek as gevolg van belastings. 'n Aantal numeriese eksperimente, vir enkel-span sowel as multi-span deurlopende brugdekke, word uitgevoer en die standaard aanwendings-patrone word vergelyk met die aanwendings-patrone wat die negatiefste waardes lewer. Die resultate van die numeriese eksperimente word gedokumenteer en vergelyk soos die hoek van skeefheid van die brugdek in plan-aansig toeneem. Vir hierdie doel is die ontwikkeling van effektiewe en gespesialiseerde sagteware dus nodig. Daar is gevind dat die standaard aanwendings-patrone, vir spesifieke buig-resultante in sekere ontwerp-areas van die brugdek, as 'n voorlopige benadering vir die negatiefste effekte van normale verkeers-belasting gebruik kan word. Dit was egter verder gevind dat vir 'n groot aantal sekondêre buig-effkte, die versameling standaard aanwendings-patrone nie as 'n goeie benadering vir die negatiefste waardes dien nie.

As pontes rodoviárias de concreto armado estão sujeitas às ações dinâmicas variáveis devido ao tráfego de veículos sobre o tabuleiro. Estas ações dinâmicas podem gerar o surgimento das fraturas ou mesmo a sua propagação na estrutura. A correta consideração destes aspectos objetivou o desenvolvimento de um estudo, de forma a avaliar os esforços do tráfego de veículos pesados sobre o tabuleiro. As técnicas para a contagem de ciclos de esforços e a aplicação das regras de dano acumulado foram analisadas através das curvas S-N de diversas normas estudadas. A ponte rodoviária investigada é constituída por quatro vigas longitudinais, três transversinas e por um tabuleiro de concreto armado. O modelo computacional, desenvolvido para a análise dinâmica da ponte, foi concebido com base no emprego de técnicas usuais de discretização através do método dos elementos finitos. O modelo estrutural da obra de arte rodoviária estudada foi simulado com base no emprego de elementos finitos sólidos tridimensionais. Os veículos são representados a partir de sistemas massa-mola-amortecedor. O tráfego dessas viaturas é considerado mediante a simulação de comboios semi-infinitos, deslocando-se com velocidade constante sobre o tabuleiro da ponte. As conclusões deste trabalho versam acerca da vida útil de serviço dos elementos estruturais de pontes rodoviárias de concreto armado submetidas às ações dinâmicas provenientes do tráfego de veículos pesados sobre o tabuleiro. / Reinforced concrete highway bridges are subjected to dynamic actions of variable magnitude due to vehicles crossing on the deck pavement. These dynamic actions can generate the nucleation of fractures or even their propagation on the structure. This way, the behaviour and reliability can be compromised and the bridge service life can be reduced. The stress cycles counting techniques and the cumulative damage rules application had been analyzed through S-N curves, based on an extensive revision of concrete bridges service life and theoretical fatigue aspects in reinforced concrete structures, as well as considering the recommended procedures used for the concrete structures main codes. A reinforced concrete skew bridge with spanning 16.5m was investigated in this work. The computational model, developed for the composite bridge dynamic analysis, adopted the usual mesh refinement techniques present in finite element method simulations implemented in the ANSYS program. These viactures are simulated by spring-mass models and the transit are considered by means of semi infinity convoys, displaced with constant velocity across the deck pavement. The proposed analysis methodology and the procedures presented in the design codes were applied, in order to evaluate the bridge fatigue determining the structure service life. The conclusions of this paper have the objective of alerting structural engineers to the possible distortions, associated to the reinforced concrete bridges service life when subjected to dynamic actions due to vehicles crossing on the deck pavement surface.

As pontes rodoviárias de concreto armado estão sujeitas às ações dinâmicas variáveis devido ao tráfego de veículos sobre o tabuleiro. Estas ações dinâmicas podem gerar o surgimento das fraturas ou mesmo a sua propagação na estrutura. A correta consideração destes aspectos objetivou o desenvolvimento de um estudo, de forma a avaliar os esforços do tráfego de veículos pesados sobre o tabuleiro. As técnicas para a contagem de ciclos de esforços e a aplicação das regras de dano acumulado foram analisadas através das curvas S-N de diversas normas estudadas. A ponte rodoviária investigada é constituída por quatro vigas longitudinais, três transversinas e por um tabuleiro de concreto armado. O modelo computacional, desenvolvido para a análise dinâmica da ponte, foi concebido com base no emprego de técnicas usuais de discretização através do método dos elementos finitos. O modelo estrutural da obra de arte rodoviária estudada foi simulado com base no emprego de elementos finitos sólidos tridimensionais. Os veículos são representados a partir de sistemas massa-mola-amortecedor. O tráfego dessas viaturas é considerado mediante a simulação de comboios semi-infinitos, deslocando-se com velocidade constante sobre o tabuleiro da ponte. As conclusões deste trabalho versam acerca da vida útil de serviço dos elementos estruturais de pontes rodoviárias de concreto armado submetidas às ações dinâmicas provenientes do tráfego de veículos pesados sobre o tabuleiro. / Reinforced concrete highway bridges are subjected to dynamic actions of variable magnitude due to vehicles crossing on the deck pavement. These dynamic actions can generate the nucleation of fractures or even their propagation on the structure. This way, the behaviour and reliability can be compromised and the bridge service life can be reduced. The stress cycles counting techniques and the cumulative damage rules application had been analyzed through S-N curves, based on an extensive revision of concrete bridges service life and theoretical fatigue aspects in reinforced concrete structures, as well as considering the recommended procedures used for the concrete structures main codes. A reinforced concrete skew bridge with spanning 16.5m was investigated in this work. The computational model, developed for the composite bridge dynamic analysis, adopted the usual mesh refinement techniques present in finite element method simulations implemented in the ANSYS program. These viactures are simulated by spring-mass models and the transit are considered by means of semi infinity convoys, displaced with constant velocity across the deck pavement. The proposed analysis methodology and the procedures presented in the design codes were applied, in order to evaluate the bridge fatigue determining the structure service life. The conclusions of this paper have the objective of alerting structural engineers to the possible distortions, associated to the reinforced concrete bridges service life when subjected to dynamic actions due to vehicles crossing on the deck pavement surface.