Different Techniques for the Modeling of Concrete Box Girder Bridges

摘要

This paper presents a comparison between response of post-tensioned concrete box-girder bridgesrnanalyzed by using different modeling techniques. Each type of modeling technique requires a certainrnset of assumptions to simplify the problem and thus results obtained from these techniques varyrnaccording to the assumptions made. In this study, a typical concrete box-girder bridge is analyzed usingrncommercially available finite element software for two analysis cases, static and modal. Static analysisrnis used to study the responses of the bridges for dead load, moving load and post-tensioning load casesrnwhereas modal analysis is used to study modal dynamic responses of the bridge. Finally, response ofrnthe bridge is compared in terms of natural time periods, mode shapes, support reactions, deformations,rnand internal forces. This study shows that with proper assumptions, similar results can be achievedrnfrom different modeling techniques.