A Survey on Patch Loading Models for Bridge Launching

摘要

During the incremental launching of steel and composite bridges high support reactions have to beintroduced into the slender steel webs of the bridge girder. In the past, the specific characteristics ofbridge launching such as long loading lengths and longitudinal stiffeners were not coveredappropriately by existing design formulae for patch loading. In the frame of the research project"Competitive Steel and Composite Bridges by Improved Steel Plated Structures (COMBRI)" a clearimprovement of the patch loading resistances for I-girders and box sections could be derivedleading to more economic solutions for this type of loading. The paper introduces the basicconcepts of the developed models for both unstiffened girders and girders with open-section andclosed-section longitudinal stiffeners as well as a software tool for the advanced determination ofelastic critical buckling loads and modes. A comparison of the main area of application and theresulting economic advantages concludes the survey.