Concepts and Principles for the Application of Nonlinear Structural Analysis inBridge Design

摘要

Engineers have decades of experience in the practical use of linear analysis.This type of analysis is relatively simple, and its role in structural design is well defined. However, engineers have much less experience in the practical use of nonlinear analysis. This type of analytis is much more complex, and its role in structural design is not well defined. The report is concerned with the broad problem of how to make effective use of nonlinear structural analysis in practical design, with emphasis on bridge structures. The report looks at several aspects of this broad problem. Some of these aspects are as follows: The reasons for using structural analysis, and the differences between linear and nonlinear analysis; Strength based versus damage based design; Demand-capacity concepts for design, and decision making based on demand-capacity comparisons; The improtance of the behavior concept for the structure, and the value of capacity design; Modeling for linear and nonlinear analysis; Unanswered questions about how to use nonlinear analysis effectively in design, and the steps we must take to develop answers.