Browsing by Author "Bapat, Amey Vivek"

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    Influence of Bridge Parameters on Finite Element Modeling of Slab on Girder Bridges
    Bapat, Amey Vivek (Virginia Tech, 2009-12-03)
    The present study is part of the Long Term Bridge Performance Program (LTBP) funded by the Federal Highway Administration. The objectives of this program are to create a comprehensive database of quantitative information of the long-term performance of selected pilot bridges and to develop a methodology to assess bridge performance. Finite element (FE) modeling of the pilot bridges is an intrinsic part of the LTBP program and is intended to not only assist with instrumentation decisions, but also to provide further insight into the behavior of these bridges, which cannot be achieved solely from field testing of the bridges. This thesis provides a comprehensive study of a plethora of issues associated with the development of reliable and accurate FE models of bridges. The first objective of this investigation was to develop reliable finite element models with a variety of levels of refinement and to study the effect of the inclusion of various bridge parameters in the model, such as bridge skew, degree of composite action, thermal gradient and level of support restraint, on the response of bridges. First, the suitability of different modeling techniques and of elements used to model the primary bridge components was assessed using simple models for which analytical solutions are readily available. From these studies, it was concluded that shell elements are adequate to model the bridge deck, and beam and shell elements are both satisfactory to model the bridge girders. From the dynamic analyses of theWildcat Creek River Bridge and the Colquitz River Bridge, flexural modes of vibration were found to be highly sensitive to support restraints and to how the guardrails were modeled and less sensitive to the inclusion of bracing and thermal gradients in the model. The finite element models using extreme boundary conditions were successful in bracketing the field response. The factors identified from these analyses were considered in the analysis of the Virginia pilot bridge. Different support restraints, and the inclusion of skew and level of composite action in the model had noticeable impact on both the static and dynamic responses of the bridge. The results from these analyses were used to assist with instrumentation decisions prior to field-testing. The developed model will also be used to help researchers further understand the bridge's behavior and to help explain a variety of phenomena observed in the field.
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    Redundancy Evaluation of Fracture Critical Bridges
    Bapat, Amey Vivek (Virginia Tech, 2014-10-02)
    Cases of brittle fractures in major bridges prompted AASHTO to publish its first fracture control plan in 1978. It focused on material and fabrication standards, and required periodic 24-month hands-on inspection of bridges with fracture critical members. The practical result of this plan was to significantly increase the life cycle cost of these bridges, rendering them uneconomical. Apart from the Point Pleasant Bridge that failed in 1967, no other bridge has collapsed in the USA following a fracture, even though large fractures have been observed in many other bridges. All these bridges showed some degree of redundancy and therefore could be reclassified as non-fracture critical if detailed analyses are carried out. The goal of this study is to provide guidance on redundancy evaluation of fracture critical bridges, specifically three girder bridges and twin box-girder bridges. The effect of various loading, analysis and geometric parameters on the post fracture response and the remaining load carrying capacity of the damaged bridge is evaluated through nonlinear finite element analysis of two well-documented structures: the Hoan Bridge and the twin box-girder bridge. Parameters such as damping definition, modelling of composite action, modelling of secondary elements, boundary conditions, and rate dependent material properties are found to be crucial in capturing the bridge response. A two-step methodology for system redundancy analysis of fracture critical bridges is proposed, leading to a reclassification of these elements as non-fracture critical for in-service inspection. The first step evaluates bridge capacity to withstand collapse following fracture based on whether the residual deformation is perceivable to people on or off the bridge. If the bridge satisfies the first step requirements, then the reserve load carrying capacity of the damaged bridge is evaluated in the second step. The Hoan Bridge failed to satisfy the proposed requirements in the first step and therefore its girders could not be reclassified as non-fracture critical. The twin box-girder bridge successfully resisted the collapse in two out three loading scenarios and displayed reserve load carrying capacity following full depth fracture in the exterior girder, and therefore can be reclassified as non-fracture critical for in-service inspection.