Loading to failure and 3D nonlinear FE modelling of a strengthened RC bridge

Abstract

A reinforced concrete railway trough bridge in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, was strengthened in bending with rods of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer and loaded to failure. The aim was to test and calibrate methods developed in the European Research Project ‘Sustainable Bridges’ regarding assessment and strengthening of existing bridges. A steel beam was placed in the middle of one of the two spans and was pulled downwards. Failure was reached at an applied load of 11.7 MN. It was initiated by a bond failure caused by a combined action of shear, torsion as well as bending after yielding in the longitudinal steel reinforcement and the stirrups. The bond failure led to a redistribution of the internal forces from the tensile reinforcement to the stirrups, causing the final failure. The computer models developed to simulate the loading process were improved step by step from linear shell models to more detailed models. The most developed model, a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model with discrete reinforcement, gave accurate accounts of the response of the bridge.

Keywords::

• bridges
• strengthening
• full-scale test
• failure analysis
• near-surface-mounted reinforcement
• carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer
• ultimate load-carrying capacity

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge support and contributions from: the European Union 6th Framework Program; Banverket, Sweden; The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Germany; Botniabanan, Sweden; City University, England; Cervenka Consulting, Czech Republic; COWI A/S, Denmark; Denmark Technical University (DTU), Denmark; Luleå University of Technology (LTU), Sweden; Nordisk Spännarmering, Sweden; Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Finland; Finnish Rail Administration, Finland, Finnish Road Administration, Finland, University of Oulu, Finland, Skanska Sverige AB, Sweden; STO Skandinavia AB, Sweden; Örnsköldsviks kommun, Sweden and University of Minho (UMINHO), Portugal.

Notes

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