About the Structural Robustness of Through Arch Bridges

Abstract:

In EN1991-1-7 Eurocode 1: Part 1-7 Accidental Actions structural robustness is defined as ‘the ability of a structure to withstand events like fire, explosions, impact or consequences of human error without being damaged to an extent disproportionate to the original cause’. Accordingly, the principle of structural robustness is that local damage is acceptable, provided that it will not endanger the structure and that the overall load-carrying capacity is maintained during an appropriate length of time to allow the necessary emergency measures to be taken. For different structures the practical ways to achieve robustness are different. Lots of through arch bridges with hangers have been built throughout the world. However, the structural collapse may happen due to the hanger's damage or failure if the bridge is not designed appropriately. In this paper, the structural robustness of the through arch bridges with vertical hangers are discussed and verified by an example. Based on this study, a few practical suggestions are put forward to achieve the structural robustness for the future through arch bridges' design.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 178-181)
• Pages: 2412-2417
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.178-181.2412
• Online since: May 2012
• Authors: Rui Juan Jiang, Qi Ming Wu, Yi Yan Chen, Xiao Wei Yi, Jun Tu
• Keywords: Progressive Collapse, Structural Robustness, Through Arch Bridges

References

[1] Information on http://news.163.com/photoview/00AN0001/14026.html

[2] Information on http://www.news.cn

[3] Information on http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/sep/21/commonwealth-games-doubt-after-bridge-collapse/?page=all.

[4] B.R. Ellingwood and D.O. Dusenberry: Building Design for Abnormal Loads and Progressive Collapse. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering 20 (2005),pp.194-205

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8667.2005.00387.x

[5] A.G. Vlassis, B.A. Izzuddin, A.Y. Elghazouli and D.A. Nethercot: Design Oriented Approach for Progressive Collapse Assessment of Steel Framed Buildings. Structural Engineering International: Journal of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) 16, No. 2(2006), pp.129-136.

DOI: 10.2749/101686606777962495

[6] General Services Administration: Progressive Collapse Analysis and Design Guidelines for New Federal Office Buildings and Major Modernization Projects. (General Services Administration, USA, June 2003).

[7] CEN. EN 1991-1-7: Eurocode 1: Actions on Structures: Part 1-7: Accidental Actions. (European Committee for Standardization, 2006).

[8] C. Pearson and N. Delatte：Ronan Point Apartment Tower Collapse and its effect on Building Codes. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities 19, No. 2 (2005), pp.172-177.

DOI: 10.1061/(asce)0887-3828(2005)19:2(172)

[9] H. Gulvanessian and T. Vrouwenvelder: Robustness and the Eurocodes. Structural Engineering International: Journal of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) 16, No. 2(2006), pp.167-171

DOI: 10.2749/101686606777962396

[10] ANSYS Software, Release 13.0, ANSYS, Inc., 2010.

[11] MOHURD： Code for design of steel structures, GB50017-2003.Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China, China Planning Press: Beijing, 2003. (in Chinese)