Evaluation of Construction Issues and Inconsistent Detailing of Girders and Cross-Frame Members in Horizontally Curved Steel IGirder Bridges

摘要

Construction and detailing of horizontally curved steel I-girder bridges is oftentimes more complex thanconstruction and detailing of corresponding straight steel I-girder bridges of similar span. Generally, problems with curved Igirderbridges during erection result from unpredicted displacements, stresses, and instabilities which are unaccounted for bythe designer. Additional construction difficulties can result from the inconsistent detailing of girders and cross-framemembers, which are primary load carrying members in curved steel I-girder bridges. Currently there is no guidance given indesign specifications for bridge engineers, or bridge detailers, concerning the issue of consistent detailing of girders andcross-frame members in curved I-girder bridges. Results from the current research provide evidence to the fact that theinconsistent detailing of girders and cross-frames can lead to significant girder-cross-frame connection misalignments. Thepurpose of the current research is to show that close attention must be given, by bridge engineers, to the issue of consistentdetailing when designing curved steel I-girder bridges.