Three-dimensional finite element modeling of a long-span cable-stayed bridge for local stress analysis

摘要

The information on local stress acting in a bridge is required in many occasions such as fatigue assessment. The analysis by beam elements cannot yield this class of information adequately, while the finite element modeling of an entire long-span bridge by shell elements is impractical. In the present study, the hybrid modeling is tried out: only part of a bridge in which the point of interest is located is discretized by shell elements and the remaining part is modeled by beam elements. By solving a simple box girder problem, the effectiveness of this approach is discussed. This technique is then applied to the Rama IX Bridge for local stress evaluation. The numerical results compare very well with the results of a full-scale static loading test. The present research thus offers a practical yet accurate technique for the stress analysis of a long-span cable-stayed bridge.